THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
JIM  TULLY 

GIFT  OF 
MRS.  JIM  TOLLY 


3lllUjStrattons  to  SHotume  IL 


"  Sir  Launcelot  beheld  the  young  squire  and  saw  him  seemly 
and  demure  as  a  dove,  with  all  manner  of  good  features, 
that  he  weened  of  his  age  never  to  have  seen  so  fair  a 
man  of  form "  .  .  Book  XIII.,  Chap.  i.  Frontispiece 

FACING   PAGE 

"  All  the  ladies  said  at  one  voice  :  *  Welcome,  Sir  Tristram  ! ' ' 

Book  X.,  Chap.  vi.          1 2 

"  Then  she  unwimpled  her  visage.  And  when  he  saw  her  he 
said  :  '  Here  have  I  found  my  love  and  my  lady  '  " 

Book  X.,  Chap,  xxxix.         64 

"  They  went  into  their  country  of  Benoye,  and  lived  there  in 

great  joy "  .  .  .  Book  X.,  Chap,  xxxix.         72 

"  He  gave  him  such  a  buffet  upon  the  helm  with  his  sword 
that  King  Arthur  had  no  power  to  keep  his  saddle  " 

Book  X.,  Chap.  Ixix.        136 

"  They  could  not  readily  see  who  bare  that  vessel,  but  Sir 
Percivale  had  a  glimmering  of  the  vessel  and  of  the 
maiden  that  bare  it "  .  .  Book  XI.,  Chap.  xiv.  200 

"'But  ye  shall  abide,  and  I  shall  throw  such  an  enchantment 
upon  him  that  he  shall  not  awake  within  the  space  of  an 
hour'  ;  and  so  she  did"  .  .  Book  XII.,  Chap.  iv.  208 

"  And  then  they  put  on  their  helms  and  departed,  and  recom- 
mended them  all  wholly  unto  the  queen  ;  and  there  was 
weeping  and  great  sorrow"  Book  XIII.,  Chap.  viii.  232 

"And  therewith  on  his  hands  and  on  his  knees  he  went  so 
nigh  that  he  touched  the  holy  vessel " 

Book  XIII.,  Chap,  xviii.       252 

"  When  the  mass  was  done  the  priest  took  Our  Lord's  body 

and  bare  it  to  the  sick  king"  Book  XIV.,  Chap.  iii.       264 

" '  Ah,  Sir  Bors,  gentle  knight  have  mercy  on  us  all ' " 

Book  XVI.,  Chap.  xii.       304 


xxii  MORTE  DARTHUR 

FACING   PAGE 

" '  As  soon  as  I  wist  that  this  adventure  was  ordained  me  I 
clipped  off  my  hair,  and  made  this  girdle  in  the  name  of 
God"  .  .  .  Book  XVII.,  Chap.  vii.  328 

"'Sir,'  said  a  knight,  'what  maid  passeth  hereby  shall  give  this 
dish  full  of  blood  of  her  right  arm  ' ' 

Book  XVII.,  Chap.  x.       336 

"  '  My  knights,  and  my  servants,  and  my  true  children,  which 
be  come  out  of  deadly  life  into  spiritual  life,  I  will  now 
no  longer  hide  me  from  you ' '  Book  XVII.,  Chap.  xx.  344 

"  She  was  a  great  huntress  and  daily  she  used  to  hunt,  and 
ever  she  bare  her  bow  with  her" 

Book  XVIII.,  Chap.  xxi.       400 

"  How  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  kinsmen  rescued  the  queen  from 

the  fire "     .  .  .  Book  XX.,  Chap.  viii.       448 

"  And  then  that  queen  said  :    '  Ah,  dear  brother,  why  have  ye 

tarried  so  long  from  me  ? ' '  Book  XXI.,  Chap.  v.       488 

"  Then  Sir  Launcelot  saw  her  visage,  but  he  wept  not  greatly, 

but  sighed"  .  .  Book  XXL,  Chap.  xi.       504 


BOOK   X 


CHAPTER  I 

How  Sir  Tristram  jousted,  and  smote  down   King  Arthur^ 
because  he  told  him  not  the  cause  why  he  bare  that  shield. 

AND  if  so  be  ye  can  descrive  what  ye  bear,  ye  are  worthy 
to  bear  the  arms.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will 
answer  you  ;  this  shield  was  given  me,  not  desired,  of 
Queen  Morgan  le  Fay  ;  and  as  for  me,  I  can  not  descrive 
these  arms,  for  it  is  no  point  of  my  charge,  and  yet  I 
trust  to  God  to  bear  them  with  worship.  Truly,  said 
King  Arthur,  ye  ought  not  to  bear  none  arms  but  if  ye 
wist  what  ye  bear  :  but  I  pray  you  tell  me  your  name. 
To  what  intent?  said  Sir  Tristram.  For  I  would  wit, 
said  Arthur.  Sir,  ye  shall  not  wit  as  at  this  time.  Then 
shall  ye  and  I  do  battle  together,  said  King  Arthur. 
Why,  said  Sir  Tristram,  will  ye  do  battle  with  me  but  if 
I  tell  you  my  name?  and  that  little  needeth  you  an  ye 
were  a  man  of  worship,  for  ye  have  seen  me  this  day 
have  had  great  travail,  and  therefore  ye  are  a  villainous 
knight  to  ask  battle  of  me,  considering  my  great  travail ; 
howbeit  I  will  not  fail  you,  and  have  ye  no  doubt  that  I 
fear  not  you  ;  though  you  think  you  have  me  at  a  great 
advantage  yet  shall  I  right  well  endure  you.  And  there- 
withal King  Arthur  dressed  his  shield  and  his  spear,  and 
Sir  Tristram  against  him,  and  they  came  so  eagerly 
together.  And  there  King  Arthur  brake  his  spear  all  to 
pieces  upon  Sir  Tristram's  shield.  But  Sir  Tristram  hit 

VOL.   II  B 


2  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

Arthur  again,  that  horse  and  man  fell  to  the  earth.  And 
there  was  King  Arthur  wounded  on  the  left  side,  a  great 
wound  and  a  perilous. 

Then  when  Sir  Uwaine  saw  his  lord  Arthur  lie  on  the 
ground  sore  wounded,  he  was  passing  heavy.  And  then 
he  dressed  his  shield  and  his  spear,  and  cried  aloud  unto 
Sir  Tristram  and  said :  Knight,  defend  thee.  So  they 
came  together  as  thunder,  and  Sir  Uwaine  brised  his  spear 
all  to  pieces  upon  Sir  Tristram's  shield,  and  Sir  Tristram 
smote  him  harder  and  sorer,  with  such  a  might  that  he 
bare  him  clean  out  of  his  saddle  to  the  earth.  With  that 
Sir  Tristram  turned  about  and  said  :  Fair  knights,  I  had 
no  need  to  joust  with  you,  for  I  have  had  enough  to  do 
this  day.  Then  arose  Arthur  and  went  to  Sir  Uwaine, 
and  said  to  Sir  Tristram  :  We  have  as  we  have  deserved, 
for  through  our  orgulyte  we  demanded  battle  of  you, 
and  yet  we  knew  not  your  name.  Nevertheless,  by  Saint 
Cross,  said  Sir  Uwaine,  he  is  a  strong  knight  at  mine 
advice  as  any  is  now  living. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  departed,  and  in  every  place  he 
asked  and  demanded  after  Sir  Launcelot,  but  in  no  place 
he  could  not  hear  of  him  whether  he  were  dead  or  alive  ; 
wherefore  Sir  Tristram  made  great  dole  and  sorrow.  So 
Sir  Tristram  rode  by  a  forest,  and  then  was  he  ware  of  a 
fair  tower  by  a  marsh  on  that  one  side,  and  on  that  other 
side  a  fair  meadow.  And  there  he  saw  ten  knights 
fighting  together.  And  ever  the  nearer  he  came  he  saw 
how  there  was  but  one  knight  did  battle  against  nine 
knights,  and  that  one  did  so  marvellously  that  Sir 
Tristram  had  great  wonder  that  ever  one  knight  might 
do  so  great  deeds  of  arms.  And  then  within  a  little 
while  he  had  slain  half  their  horses  and  unhorsed  them, 
and  their  horses  ran  in  the  fields  and  forest.  Then  Sir 
Tristram  had  so  great  pity  of  that  one  knight  that 
endured  so  great  pain,  and  ever  he  thought  it  should  be 
Sir  Palomides,  by  his  shield.  And  so  he  rode  unto  the 
knights  and  cried  unto  them,  and  bade  them  cease  of 
their  battle,  for  they  did  themselves  great  shame  so  many 
knights  to  fight  with  one.  Then  answered  the  master  of 


CH.  ii     HOW  TRISTRAM  SAVED  PALOMIDES  3 

those  knights,  his  name  was  called  Breuse  Saunce  Pite, 
that  was  at  that  time  the  most  mischievoust  knight  living, 
and  said  thus  :  Sir  knight,  what  have  ye  ado  with  us  to 
meddle?  and  therefore,  an  ye  be  wise,  depart  on  your 
way  as  ye  came,  for  this  knight  shall  not  escape  us. 
That  were  pity,  said  Sir  Tristram,  that  so  good  a  knight 
as  he  is  should  be  slain  so  cowardly  ;  and  therefore  I 
warn  you  I  will  succour  him  with  all  my  puissance. 


CHAPTER   II 

How  Sir  Tristram  saved  Sir  Palomides'  life,  and  how  they 
•promised  to  fight  together  within  a  fortnight. 

So  Sir  Tristram  alighted  off  his  horse  because  they  were 
on  foot,  that  they  should  not  slay  his  horse,  and  then 
dressed  his  shield,  with  his  sword  in  his  hand,  and  he 
smote  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand  passing 
sore,  that  well-nigh  at  every  stroke  he  struck  down  a 
knight.  And  when  they  espied  his  strokes  they  fled  all 
with  Breuse  Saunce  Pite  unto  the  tower,  and  Sir  Tristram 
followed  fast  after  with  his  sword  in  his  hand,  but  they 
escaped  into  the  tower,  and  shut  Sir  Tristram  without  the 
gate.  And  when  Sir  Tristram  saw  this  he  returned  aback 
unto  Sir  Palomides,  and  found  him  sitting  under  a  tree 
sore  wounded.  Ah,  fair  knight,  said  Sir  Tristram,  well 
be  ye  found.  Gramercy,  said  Sir  Palomides,  of  your  great 
goodness,  for  ye  have  rescued  me  of  my  life,  and  saved 
me  from  my  death.  What  is  your  name?  said  Sir 
Tristram.  He  said :  My  name  is  Sir  Palomides.  O 
Jesu,  said  Sir  Tristram,  thou  hast  a  fair  grace  of  me  this 
day  that  I  should  rescue  thee,  and  thou  art  the  man  in 
the  world  that  I  most  hate  ;  but  now  make  thee  ready, 
for  I  will  do  battle  with  thee.  What  is  your  name  ? 
said  Sir  Palomides.  My  name  is  Sir  Tristram,  your 
mortal  enemy.  It  may  be  so,  said  Sir  Palomides  ;  but  ye 
have  done  over  much  for  me  this  day  that  I  should  fight 


4.  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

with  you  ;  for  inasmuch  as  ye  have  saved  my  life  it  will 
be  no  worship  for  you  to  have  ado  with  me,  for  ye  are 
fresh  and  I  am  wounded  sore,  and  therefore,  an  ye  will 
needs  have  ado  with  me,  assign  me  a  day  and  then  I 
shall  meet  with  you  without  fail.  Ye  say  well,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  now  I  assign  you  to  meet  me  in  the  meadow 
by  the  river  of  Camelot,  where  Merlin  set  the  peron. 
So  they  were  agreed. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  asked  Sir  Palomides  why  the  ten 
knights  did  battle  with  him.  For  this  cause,  said  Sir 
Palomides  ;  as  I  rode  upon  mine  adventures  in  a  forest 
here  beside  I  espied  where  lay  a  dead  knight,  and  a  lady 
weeping  beside  him.  And  when  I  saw  her  making  such 
dole,  I  asked  her  who  slew  her  lord.  Sir,  she  said,  the 
falsest  knight  of  the  world  now  living,  and  he  is  the  most 
villain  that  ever  man  heard  speak  of,  and  his  name  is  Sir 
Breuse  Saunce  Pite.  Then  for  pity  I  made  the  damosel 
to  leap  on  her  palfrey,  and  I  promised  her  to  be  her 
warrant,  and  to  help  her  to  inter  her  lord.  And  so, 
suddenly,  as  I  came  riding  by  this  tower,  there  came  out 
Sir  Breuse  Saunce  Pite,  and  suddenly  he  struck  me  from 
my  horse.  And  then  or  I  might  recover  my  horse  this 
Sir  Breuse  slew  the  damosel.  And  so  I  took  my  horse 
again,  and  I  was  sore  ashamed,  and  so  began  the  medley 
betwixt  us  :  and  this  is  the  cause  wherefore  we  did  this 
battle.  Well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  now  I  understand  the 
manner  of  your  battle,  but  in, any  wise  have  remembrance 
of  your  promise  that  ye  have  made  with  me  to  do  battle 
with  me  this  day  fortnight.  I  shall  not  fail  you,  said  Sir 
Palomides.  Well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  as  at  this  time  I  will 
not  fail  you  till  that  ye  be  out  of  the  danger  of  your 
enemies. 

So  they  mounted  upon  their  horses,  and  rode  together 
unto  that  forest,  and  there  they  found  a  fair  well,  with 
clear  water  bubbling.  Fair  sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  to  drink 
of  that  water  have  I  courage  ;  and  then  they  alighted  off 
their  horses.  And  then  were  they  ware  by  them  where 
stood  a  great  horse  tied  to  a  tree,  and  ever  he  neighed. 
And  then  were  they  ware  of  a  fair  knight  armed,  under 


CHAP,  in      OF  TRISTRAM  AND  PALOMIDES  5 

a  tree,  lacking  no  piece  of  harness,  save  his  helm  lay 
under  his  head.  By  the  good  lord,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
yonder  lieth  a  well-faring  knight ;  what  is  best  to  do  ? 
Awake  him,  said  Sir  Palomides.  So  Sir  Tristram  awaked 
him  with  the  butt  of  his  spear.  And  so  the  knight  rose 
up  hastily  and  put  his  helm  upon  his  head,  and  gat  a  great 
spear  in  his  hand  ;  and  without  any  more  words  he  hurled 
unto  Sir  Tristram,  and  smote  him  clean  from  his  saddle  to 
the  earth,  and  hurt  him  on  the  left  side,  that  Sir  Tristram 
lay  in  great  peril.  Then  he  walloped  farther,  and  fetched 
his  course,  and  came  hurling  upon  Sir  Palomides,  and  there 
he  struck  him  a  part  through  the  body,  that  he  fell  from 
his  horse  to  the  earth.  And  then  this  strange  knight  left 
them  there,  and  took  his  way  through  the  forest.  With 
this  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Tristram  were  on  foot,  and  gat 
their  horses  again,  and  either  asked  counsel  of  other,  what 
was  best  to  do.  By  my  head,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will 
follow  this  strong  knight  that  thus  hath  shamed  us. 
Well,  said  Sir  Palomides,  and  I  will  repose  me  hereby  with 
a  friend  of  mine.  Beware,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto  Palo- 
mides, that  ye  fail  not  that  day  that  ye  have  set  with  me 
to  do  battle,  for,  as  I  deem,  ye  will  not  hold  your  day, 
for  I  am  much  bigger  than  ye.  As  for  that,  said  Sir 
Palomides,  be  it  as  it  be  may,  for  I  fear  you  not,  for  an  I 
be  not  sick  nor  prisoner,  I  will  not  fail  you  ;  but  I  have 
cause  to  have  more  doubt  of  you  that  ye  will  not  meet 
with  me,  for  ye  ride  after  yonder  strong  knight.  And  if 
ye  meet  with  him  it  is  an  hard  adventure  an  ever  ye  escape 
his  hands.  Right  so  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides 
departed,  and  either  took  their  ways  diverse. 


CHAPTER   III 

How  Sir  Tristram  sought  a  strong  knight  that  had  smitten 
him  down,  and  many  other  knights  of  the  Round  Table. 

AND  so  Sir  Tristram  rode  long  after  this  strong  knight. 
And  at  the  last  he  saw  where  lay  a  lady  overthwart  a  dead 


6  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

knight.  Fair  lady,  said  Sir  Tristram,  who  hath  slain  your 
lord  ?  Sir,  she  said,  here  came  a  knight  riding,  as  my  lord 
and  I  rested  us  here,  and  asked  him  of  whence  he  was, 
and  my  lord  said  of  Arthur's  court.  Therefore,  said  the 
strong  knight,  I  will  joust  with  thee,  for  I  hate  all  these 
that  be  of  Arthur's  court.  And  my  lord  that  lieth  here 
dead  amounted  upon  his  horse,  and  the  strong  knight  and 
my  lord  encountered  together,  and  there  he  smote  my 
lord  throughout  with  his  spear,  and  thus  he  hath  brought 
me  in  great  woe  and  damage.  That  me  repenteth,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  of  your  great  anger  ;  an  it  please  you  tell 
me  your  husband's  name.  Siry  said  she,  his  name  was 
Galardoun,  that  would  have  proved  a  good  knight.  So 
departed  Sir  Tristram  from  that  dolorous  lady,  and  had 
much  evil  lodging.  Then  on  the  third  day  Sir  Tristram 
met  with  Sir  Gawaine  and  with  Sir  Bleoberis  in  a  forest  at 
a  lodge,  and  either  were  sore  wounded.  Then  Sir  Tristram 
asked  Sir  Gawaine  and  Sir  Bleoberis  if  they  met  with  such 
a  knight,  with  such  a  cognisance,  with  a  covered  shield. 
Fair  sir,  said  these  knights,  such  a  knight  met  with  us  to 
our  great  damage.  And  first  he  smote  down  my  fellow, 
Sir  Bleoberis,  and  sore  wounded  him  because  he  bade  me 
I  should  not  have  ado  with  him,  for  why  he  was  over- 
strong  for  me.  That  strong  knight  took  his  words  at 
scorn,  and  said  he  said  it  for  mockery.  And  then  they 
rode  together,  and  so  he  hurt  my  fellow.  And  when  he 
had  done  so  I  might  not  for  shame  but  I  must  joust  with 
him.  And  at  the  first  course  he  smote  me  down  and  my 
horse  to  the  earth.  And  there  he  had  almost  slain  me, 
and  from  us  he  took  his  horse  and  departed,  and  in  an 
evil  time  we  met  with  him.  Fair  knights,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  so  he  met  with  me,  and  with  another  knight 
that  hight  Palomides,  and  he  smote  us  both  down  with 
one  spear,  and  hurt  us  right  sore.  By  my  faith,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  by  my  counsel  ye  shall  let  him  pass  and  seek 
him  no  further  ;  for  at  the  next  feast  of  the  Round  Table, 
upon  pain  of  my  head  ye  shall  find  him  there.  By  my 
faith,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  shall  never  rest  till  that  I  find 
him.  And  then  Sir  Gawaine  asked  him  his  name.  Then 


CH.  iv   HOW  TRISTRAM  SMOTE  SAGRAMORE          7 

he  said  :  My  name  is  Sir  Tristram.  And  so  either  told 
other  their  names,  and  then  departed  Sir  Tristram  and 
rode  his  way. 

And  by  fortune  in  a  meadow  Sir  Tristram  met  with  Sir 
Kay,  the  Seneschal,  and  Sir  Dinadan.  What  tidings  with 
you,  said  Sir  Tristram,  with  you  knights  ?  Not  good, 
said  these  knights.  Why  so  ?  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  I  pray 
you  tell  me,  for  I  ride  to  seek  a  knight.  What  cognisance 
beareth  he  ?  said  Sir  Kay.  He  beareth,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
a  covered  shield  close  with  cloth.  By  my  head,  said  Sir 
Kay,  that  is  the  same  knight  that  met  with  us,  for  this 
night  we  were  lodged  within  a  widow's  house,  and  there 
was  that  knight  lodged  ;  and  when  he  wist  we  were  of 
Arthur's  court  he  spoke  great  villainy  by  the  king,  and 
specially  by  the  Queen  Guenever,  and  then  on  the  morn 
was  waged  battle  with  him  for  that  cause.  And  at  the 
first  recounter,  said  Sir  Kay,  he  smote  me  down  from  my 
horse  and  hurt  me  passing  sore  ;  and  when  my  fellow,  Sir 
Dinadan,  saw  me  smitten  down  and  hurt  he  would  not 
revenge  me,  but  fled  from  me  ;  and  thus  he  departed. 
And  then  Sir  Tristram  asked  them  their  names,  and  so 
either  told  other  their  names.  And  so  Sir  Tristram 
departed  from  Sir  Kay,  and  from  Sir  Dinadan,  and  so  he 
passed  through  a  great  forest  into  a  plain,  till  he  was  ware 
of  a  priory,  and  there  he  reposed  him  with  a  good  man 
six  days. 


CHAPTER   IV 

How  Sir  Tristram  smote  down  Sir  Sagramore  le  Desirous 
and  Sir  Dodinas  le  Savage. 

AND  then  he  sent  his  man  that  hight  Gouvernail,  and  com- 
manded him  to  go  to  a  city  thereby  to  fetch  him  new  harness  ; 
for  it  was  long  time  afore  that  that  Sir  Tristram  had  been 
refreshed,  his  harness  was  brised  and  broken.  And  when 
Gouvernail,  his  servant,  was  come  with  his  apparel,  he  took 


8  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

his  leave  at  the  widow,  and  mounted  upon  his  horse,  and 
rode  his  way  early  on  the  morn.  And  by  sudden  adven- 
ture Sir  Tristram  met  with  Sir  Sagramore  le  Desirous,  and 
with  Sir  Dodinas  le  Savage.  And  these  two  knights  met 
with  Sir  Tristram  and  questioned  with  him,  and  asked 
him  if  he  would  joust  with  them.  Fair  knights,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  with  a  good  will  I  would  joust  with  you,  but  I 
have  promised  at  a  day  set,  near  hand,  to  do  battle  with  a 
strong  knight ;  and  therefore  I  am  loath  to  have  ado  with 
you,  for  an  it  misfortuned  me  here  to  be  hurt  I  should 
not  be  able  to  do  my  battle  which  I  promised.  As  for 
that,  said  Sagramore,  maugre  your  head,  ye  shall  jo.ust 
with  us  or  ye  pass  from  us.  Well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  if 
ye  enforce  me  thereto  I  must  do  what  I  may.  And  then 
they  dressed  their  shields,  and  came  running  together  with 
great  ire.  But  through  Sir  Tristram's  great  force  he 
struck  Sir  Sagramore  from  his  horse.  Then  he  hurled  his 
horse  farther,  and  said  to  Sir  Dodinas  :  Knight,  make  thee 
ready  ;  and  so  through  fine  force  Sir  Tristram  struck 
Dodinas  from  his  horse.  And  when  he  saw  them  lie  on 
the  earth  he  took  his  bridle,  and  rode  forth  on  his  way, 
and  his  man  Gouvernail  with  him. 

Anon  as  Sir  Tristram  was  passed,  Sir  Sagramore  and 
Sir  Dodinas  gat  again  their  horses,  and  mounted  up  lightly 
and  followed  after  Sir  Tristram.  And  when  Sir  Tristram 
saw  them  come  so  fast  after  him  he  returned  with  his  horse 
to  them,  and  asked  them  what  they  would.  It  is  not  long 
ago  sithen  I  smote  you  to  the  earth  at  your  own  request 
and  desire  :  I  would  have  ridden  by  you,  but  ye  would 
not  suffer  me,  and  now  meseemeth  ye  would  do  more 
battle  with  me.  That  is  truth,  said  Sir  Sagramore  and  Sir 
Dodinas,  for  we  will  be  revenged  of  the  despite  ye  have 
done  to  us.  Fair  knights,  said  Sir  Tristram,  that  shall 
little  need  you,  for  all  that  I  did  to  you  ye  caused  it ; 
wherefore  I  require  you  of  your  knighthood  leave  me  as 
at  this  time,  for  I  am  sure  an  I  do  battle  with  you  I  shall 
not  escape  without  great  hurts,  and  as  I  suppose  ye  shall 
not  escape  all  lotless.  And  this  is  the  cause  why  I  am  so 
loath  to  have  ado  with  you  ;  for  I  must  fight  within  these 


CH.  v   HOW  TRISTRAM  FOUGHT  LAUNCELOT      9 

three  days  with  a  good  knight,  and  as  valiant  as  any  is 
now  living,  and  if  I  be  hurt  I  shall  not  be  able  to  do 
battle  with  him.  What  knight  is  that,  said  Sir  Sagramore, 
that  ye  shall  fight  withal  ?  Sirs,  said  he,  it  is  a  good 
knight  called  Sir  Palomides.  By  my  head,  said  Sir 
Sagramore  and  Sir  Dodinas,  ye  have  cause  to  dread  him, 
for  ye  shall  find  him  a  passing  good  knight,  and  a  valiant. 
And  because  ye  shall  have  ado  with  him  we  will  forbear 
you  as  at  this  time,  and  else  ye  should  not  escape  us 
lightly.  But,  fair  knight,  said  Sir  Sagramore,  tell  us  your 
name.  Sir,  said  he,  my  name  is  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones. 
Ah,  said  Sagramore  and  Sir  Dodinas,  well  be  ye  found, 
for  much  worship  have  we  heard  of  you.  And  then  either 
took  leave  of  other,  and  departed  on  their  way. 


CHAPTER  V 

How  Sir  Tristram  met  at  the  peron  with  Sir  Launce/ot, 
and  how  they  fought  together  unknown. 

THEN  departed  Sir  Tristram  and  rode  straight  unto 
Camelot,  to  the  peron  that  Merlin  had  made  to -fore, 
where  Sir  Lanceor,  that  was  the  king's  son  of  Ireland,  was 
slain  by  the  hands  of  Balin.  And  in  that  same  place  was 
the  fair  lady  Colombe  slain,  that  was  love  unto  Sir 
Lanceor  ;  for  after  he  was  dead  she  took  his  sword  and 
thrust  it  through  her  body.  And  by  the  craft  of  Merlin 
he  made  to  inter  this  knight,  Lanceor,  and  his  lady, 
Colombe,  under  one  stone.  And  at  that  time  Merlin 
prophesied  that  in  that  same  place  should  fight  two  the 
best  knights  that  ever  were  in  Arthur's  days,  and  the  best 
lovers.  So  when  Sir  Tristram  came  to  the  tomb  where 
Lanceor  and  his  lady  were  buried  he  looked  about  him 
after  Sir  Palomides.  Then  was  he  ware  of  a  seemly  knight 
came  riding  against  him  all  in  white,  with  a  covered 
shield.  When  he  came  nigh  Sir  Tristram  he  said  on 
high  :  Ye  be  welcome,  sir  knight,  and  well  and  truly  have 


io  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

ye  holden  your  promise.  And  then  they  dressed  their 
shields  and  spears,  and  came  together  with  all  their  might 
of  their  horses  ;  and  they  met  so  fiercely  that  both  their 
horses  and  knights  fell  to  the  earth,  and  as  fast  as  they 
might  avoided  their  horses,  and  put  their  shields  afore 
them  ;  and  they  struck  together  with  bright  swords,  as 
men  that  were  of  might,  and  either  wounded  other 
wonderly  sore,  that  the  blood  ran  out  upon  the  grass. 
And  thus  they  fought  the  space  of  four  hours,  that  never 
one  would  speak  to  other  one  word,  and  of  their  harness 
they  had  hewn  off  many  pieces.  O  Lord  Jesu,  said 
Gouvernail,  I  marvel  greatly  of  the  strokes  my  master 
hath  given  to  your  master.  By  my  head,  said  Sir  Launce- 
lot's  servant,  your  master  hath  not  given  so  many  but 
your  master  has  received  as  many  or  more.  O  Jesu,  said 
Gouvernail,  it  is  too  much  for  Sir  Palomides  to  suffer  or 
Sir  Launcelot,  and  yet  pity  it  were  that  either  of  these 
good  knights  should  destroy  other's  blood.  So  they  stood 
and  wept  both,  and  made  great  dole  when  they  saw  the 
bright  swords  over-covered  with  blood  of  their  bodies. 

Then  at  the  last  spake  Sir  Launcelot  and  said  :  Knight, 
thou  fightest  wonderly  well  as  ever  I  saw  knight,  therefore, 
an  it  please  you,  tell  me  your  name.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tris- 
tram, that  is  me  loath  to  tell  any  man  my  name.  Truly, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  an  I  were  required  I  was  never  loath 
to  tell  my  name.  It  is  well  said,  said  Sir  Tristram,  then  I 
require  you  to  tell  me  your  name  ?  Fair  knight,  he  said, 
my  name  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  Alas,  said  Sir  Tris- 
tram, what  have  I  done  !  for  ye  are  the  man  in  the  world 
that  I  love  best.  Fair  knight,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  tell  me 
your  name  ?  Truly,  said  he,  my  name  is  Sir  Tristram  de 
Liones.  O  Jesu,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  what  adventure  is 
befallen  me  !  And  therewith  Sir  Launcelot  kneeled  down 
and  yielded  him  up  his  sword.  And  therewith  Sir  Tris- 
tram kneeled  adown,  and  yielded  him  up  his  sword.  And 
so  either  gave  other  the  degree.  And  then  they  both 
forthwithal  went  to  the  stone,  and  set  them  down  upon  it, 
and  took  off  their  helms  to  cool  them,  and  either  kissed 
other  an  hundred  times.  And  then  anon  after  they  took 


CH.  vi   HOW  TRISTRAM  CAME  TO  THE  COURT   n 

off  their  helms  and  rode  to  Camelot.  And  there  they  met 
with  Sir  Gawaine  and  with  Sir  Gaheris  that  had  made 
promise  to  Arthur  never  to  come  again  to  the  court  till 
they  had  brought  Sir  Tristram  with  them. 


CHAPTER   VI 

How  Sir  Launcelot  brought  Sir  Tristram  to  the  court,  and 
of  the  great  joy  that  the  king  and  other  made  for  the 
coming  of  Sir  Tristram. 

RETURN  again,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  your  quest  is  done, 
for  I  have  met  with  Sir  Tristram  :  lo,  here  is  his  own 
person !  Then  was  Sir  Gawaine  glad,  and  said .  to  Sir 
Tristram  :  Ye  are  welcome,  for  now  have  ye  eased  me 
greatly  of  my  labour.  For  what  cause,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
came  ye  into  this  court?  Fair  sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I 
came  into  this  country  because  of  Sir  Palomides  ;  for  he 
and  I  had  assigned  at  this  day  to  have  done  battle  together 
at  the  peron,  and  I  marvel  I  hear  not  of  him.  And  thus 
by  adventure  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  and  I  met  together. 
With  this  came  King  Arthur,  and  when  he  wist  that  there 
was  Sir  Tristram,  then  he  ran  unto  him  and  took  him  by 
the  hand  and  said  :  Sir  Tristram,  ye  are  as  welcome  as  any 
knight  that  ever  came  to  this  court.  And  when  the  king 
had  heard  how  Sir  Launcelot  and  he  had  foughten,  and 
either  had  wounded  other  wonderly  sore,  then  the  king 
made  great  dole.  Then  Sir  Tristram  told  the  king  how 
he  came  thither  for  to  have  had  ado  with  Sir  Palomides. 
And  then  he  told  the  king  how  he  had  rescued  him  from 
the  nine  knights  and  Breuse  Saunce  Pite  ;  and  how  he 
found  a  knight  lying  by  a  well,  and  that  knight  smote 
down  Sir  Palomides  and  me,  but  his  shield  was  covered 
with  a  cloth.  So  Sir  Palomides  left  me,  and  I  followed 
after  that  knight ;  and  in  many  places  I  found  where  he 
had  slain  knights,  and  for-j ousted  many.  By  my  head, 
said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  same  knight  smote  me  down  and 


12  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

Sir  Bleoberis,  and  hurt  us  sore  both,  he  with  the  covered 
shield.  Ah,  said  Sir  Kay,  that  knight  smote  me  adown 
and  hurt  me  passing  sore,  and  fain  would  I  have  known 
him,  but  I  might  not.  Jesu,  mercy,  said  Arthur,  what 
knight  was  that  with  the  covered  shield?  I  know  not, 
said  Sir  Tristram  ;  and  so  said  they  all.  Now,  said  King 
Arthur,  then  wot  I,  for  it  is  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  they 
all  looked  upon  Sir  Launcelot  and  said  :  Ye  have  beguiled 
us  with  your  covered  shield.  It  is  not  the  first  time,  said 
Arthur,  he  hath  done  so.  My  lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
truly  wit  ye  well  I  was  the  same  knight  that  bare  the 
covered  shield  ;  and  because  I  would  not  be  known  that  I 
was  of  your  court  I  said  no  worship  of  your  house.  That 
is  truth,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  Sir  Kay,  and  Sir  Bleoberis. 

Then  King  Arthur  took  Sir  Tristram  by  the  hand  and 
went  to  the  Table  Round.  Then  came  Queen  Guenever 
and  many  ladies  with  her,  and  all  the  ladies  said  at  one 
voice :  Welcome,  Sir  Tristram !  Welcome,  said  the 
damosels.  Welcome,  said  knights.  Welcome,  said 
Arthur,  for  one  of  the  best  knights,  and  the  gentlest  of 
the  world,  and  the  man  of  most  worship  ;  for  of  all 
manner  of  hunting  thou  bearest  the  prize,  and  of  all 
measures  of  blowing  thou  art  the  beginning,  and  of  all  the 
terms  of  hunting  and  hawking  ye  are  the  beginner,  of  all 
instruments  of  music  ye  are  the  best ;  therefore,  gentle 
knight,  said  Arthur,  ye  are  welcome  to  this  court.  And 
also,  I  pray  you,  said  Arthur,  grant  me  a  boon.  It  shall 
be  at  your  commandment,  said  Tristram.  Well,  said 
Arthur,  I  will  desire  of  you  that  ye  will  abide  in  my  court. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  thereto  is  me  loath,  for  I  have  ado 
in  many  countries.  Not  so,  said  Arthur,  ye  have  promised 
it  me,  ye  may  not  say  nay.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will 
as  ye  will.  Then  went  Arthur  unto  the  sieges  about  the 
Round  Table,  and  looked  in  every  siege  the  which  were 
void  that  lacked  knights.  And  then  the  king  saw  in  the 
siege  of  Marhaus  letters  that  said  :  This  is  the  siege  of  the 
noble  knight,  Sir  Tristram.  And  then  Arthur  made  Sir 
Tristram  Knight  of  the  Table  Round,  with  great  nobley 
and  great  feast  as  might  be  thought.  For  Sir  Marhaus 


'  All  the  ladies  said  at  one  voice  :   '  Welcome,  Sir  Tristram  ! 
Book  X.,  Chapter  VI. 


CHAP,  vii       OF  KING  MARK'S  TREASONS  13 

was  slain  afore  by  the  hands  of  Sir  Tristram  in  an  island  ; 
and  that  was  well  known  at  that  time  in  the  court  of 
Arthur,  for  this  Marhaus  was  a  worthy  knight.  And  for 
evil  deeds  that  he  did  unto  the  country  of  Cornwall  Sir 
Tristram  and  he  fought.  And  they  fought  so  long, 
tracing  and  traversing,  till  they  fell  bleeding  to  the  earth  ; 
for  they  were  so  sore  wounded  that  they  might  not  stand 
for  bleeding.  And  Sir  Tristram  by  fortune  recovered,  and 
Sir  Marhaus  died  through  the  stroke  on  the  head.  So 
leave  we  of  Sir  Tristram  and  speak  we  of  King  Mark. 


CHAPTER   VII 

How  for  the  despite  of  Sir  Tristram  King  Mark  came  with 
two  knights  into  England,  and  how  he  slew  one  of  the 
knights. 

THEN  King  Mark  had  great  despite  of  the  renown  of  Sir 
Tristram,  and  then  he  chased  him  out  of  Cornwall :  yet 
was  he  nephew  unto  King  Mark,  but  he  had  great  suspicion 
unto  Sir  Tristram  because  of  his  queen,  La  Beale  Isoud  ; 
for  him  seemed  that  there  was  too  much  love  between 
them  both.  So  when  Sir  Tristram  departed  out  of  Cornwall 
into  England  King  Mark  heard  of  the  great  prowess  that 
Sir  Tristram  did  there,  the  which  grieved  him  sore.  So 
he  sent  on  his  part  men  to  espy  what  deeds  he  did.  And 
the  queen  sent  privily  on  her  part  spies  to  know  what 
deeds  he  had  done,  for  great  love  was  between  them  twain. 
So  when  the  messengers  were  come  home  they  told  the 
truth  as  they  had  heard,  that  he  passed  all  other  knights 
but  if  it  were  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  King  Mark  was  right 
heavy  of  these  tidings,  and  as  glad  was  La  Beale  Isoud. 
Then  in  great  despite  he  took  with  him  two  good  knights 
and  two  squires,  and  disguised  himself,  and  took  his  way 
into  England,  to  the  intent  for  to  slay  Sir  Tristram. 
And  one  of  these  two  knights  hight  Bersules,  and  the 
other  knight  was  called  Amant.  So  as  they  rode  King 


14  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

Mark  asked  a  knight  that  he  met,  where  he  should  find 
King  Arthur.  He  said  :  At  Camelot.  Also  he  asked  that 
knight  after  Sir  Tristram,  whether  he  heard  of  him  in  the 
court  of  King  Arthur.  Wit  you  well,  said  that  knight, 
ye  shall  find  Sir  Tristram  there  for  a  man  of  as  great 
worship  as  is  now  living  ;  for  through  his  prowess  he  won 
the  tournament  of  the  Castle  of  Maidens  that  standeth  by 
the  Hard  Rock.  And  sithen  he  hath  won  with  his  own 
hands  thirty  knights  that  were  men  of  great  honour. 
And  the  last  battle  that  ever  he  did  he  fought  with  Sir 
Launcelot ;  and  that  was  a  marvellous  battle.  And  not 
by  force  Sir  Launcelot  brought  Sir  Tristram  to  the  court, 
and  of  him  King  Arthur  made  passing  great  joy,  and  so 
made  him  Knight  of  the  Table  Round  ;  and  his  seat  was 
where  the  good  knight's,  Sir  Marhaus,  seat  was.  Then 
was  King  Mark  passing  sorry  when  he  heard  of  the  honour 
of  Sir  Tristram  ;  and  so  they  departed. 

Then  said  King  Mark  unto  his  two  knights  :  Now 
will  I  tell  you  my  counsel :  ye  are  the  men  that  I  trust 
most  to  alive,  and  I  will  that  ye  wit  my  coming  hither  is 
to  this  intent,  for  to  destroy  Sir  Tristram  by  wiles  or  by 
treason  ;  and  it  shall  be  hard  if  ever  he  escape  our  hands. 
Alas,  said  Sir  Bersules,  what  mean  you?  for  ye  be  set  in 
such  a  way  ye  are  disposed  shamefully  ;  for  Sir  Tristram 
is  the  knight  of  most  worship  that  we  know  living,  and 
therefore  I  warn  you  plainly  I  will  never  consent  to  do 
him  to  the  death  ;  and  therefore  I  will  yield  my  service, 
and  forsake  you.  When  King  Mark  heard  him  say  so, 
suddenly  he  drew  his  sword  and  said  :  Ah,  traitor  ;  and 
smote  Sir  Bersules  on  the  head,  that  the  sword  went  to 
his  teeth.  When  Amant,  the  knight,  saw  him  do  that 
villainous  deed,  and  his  squires,  they  said  it  was  foul  done, 
and  mischievously  :  Wherefore  we  will  do  thee  no  more 
service,  and  wit  ye  well,  we  will  appeach  thee  of  treason 
afore  Arthur.  Then  was  King  Mark  wonderly  wroth 
and  would  have  slain  Amant ;  but  he  and  the  two  squires 
held  them  together,  and  set  nought  by  his  malice.  When 
King  Mark  saw  he  might  not  be  revenged  on  them,  he 
said  thus  unto  the  knight,  Amant :  Wit  thou  well,  an 


CH.  vin   OF  KING  MARK  AND  SIR  LAMORAK         15 

thou  appeach  me  of  treason  I  shall  thereof  defend  me 
afore  King  Arthur  ;  but  I  require  thee  that  thou  tell  not 
my  name,  that  I  am  King  Mark,  whatsomever  come  of 
me.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Amant,  I  will  not  discover  your 
name ;  and  so  they  departed,  and  Amant  and  his  fellows 
took  the  body  of  Bersules  and  buried  it. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

How  King  Mark  came  to  a  fountain  where  he  found  Sir 
Lamorak  complaining  for  the  love  of  King  Lois  wife. 

THEN  King  Mark  rode  till  he  came  to  a  fountain,  and 
there  he  rested  him,  and  stood  in  a  doubt  whether  he 
would  ride  to  Arthur's  court  or  none,  or  return  again  to 
his  country.  And  as  he  thus  rested  him  by  that  fountain 
there  came  by  him  a  knight  well  armed  on  horseback  ; 
and  he  alighted,  and  tied  his  horse  until  a  tree,  and  set 
him  down  by  the  brink  of  the  fountain  ;  and  there  he 
made  great  languor  and  dole,  and  made  the  dolefullest 
complaint  of  love  that  ever  man  heard  ;  and  all  this  while 
was  he  not  ware  of  King  Mark.  And  this  was  a  great 
part  of  his  complaint :  he  cried  and  wept,  saying  :  O  fair 
Queen  of  Orkney,  King  Lot's  wife,  and  mother  of  Sir 
Gawaine,  and  to  Sir  Gaheris,  and  mother  to  many  other, 
for  thy  love  I  am  in  great  pains.  Then  King  Mark  arose 
and  went  near  him  and  said  :  Fair  knight,  ye  have  made 
a  piteous  complaint.  Truly,  said  the  knight,  it  is  an 
hundred  part  more  ruefuller  than  my  heart  can  utter.  I 
require  you,  said  King  Mark,  tell  me  your  name.  Sir, 
said  he,  as  for  my  name  I  will  not  hide  it  from  no  knight 
that  beareth  a  shield,  and  my  name  is  Sir  Lamorak  de 
Galis.  But  when  Sir  Lamorak  heard  King  Mark  speak, 
then  wist  he  well  by  his  speech  that  he  was  a  Cornish 
knight.  Sir,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  I  understand  by  your 
tongue  ye  be  of  Cornwall,  wherein  there  dwelleth  the 
shamefullest  king  that  is  now  living,  for  he  is  a  great 


i6  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

enemy  to  all  good  knights  ;  and  that  proveth  well,  for  he 
hath  chased  out  of  that  country  Sir  Tristram,  that  is  the 
worshipfullest  knight  that  now  is  living,  and  all  knights 
speak  of  him  worship  ;  and  for  jealousness  of  his  queen 
he  hath  chased  him  out  of  his  country.  It  is  pity,  said 
Sir  Lamorak,  that  ever  any  such  false  knight-coward  as 
King  Mark  is,  should  be  matched  with  such  a  fair  lady 
and  good  as  La  Beale  Isoud  is,  for  all  the  world  of  him 
speaketh  shame,  and  of  her  worship  that  any  queen  may 
have.  I  have  not  ado  in  this  matter,  said  King  Mark, 
neither  nought  will  I  speak  thereof.  Well  said,  said  Sir 
Lamorak.  Sir,  can  ye  tell  me  any  tidings?  I  can  tell 
you,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  that  there  shall  be  a  great  tourna- 
ment in  haste  beside  Camelot,  at  the  Castle  of  Jagent ; 
and  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights  and  the  King  of 
Ireland,  as  I  suppose,  make  that  tournament. 

Then  there  came  a  knight  that  was  called  Sir  Dinadan, 
and  saluted  them  both.  And  when  he  wist  that  King 
Mark  was  a  knight  of  Cornwall  he  reproved  him  for  the 
love  of  King  Mark  a  thousand  fold  more  than  did  Sir 
Lamorak.  Then  he  proffered  to  joust  with  King  Mark. 
And  he  was  full  loath  thereto,  but  Sir  Dinadan  edged  him 
so,  that  he  jousted  with  Sir  Lamorak.  And  Sir  Lamorak 
smote  King  Mark  so  sore  that  he  bare  him  on  his  spear 
end  over  his  horse's  tail.  And  then  King  Mark  arose 
again,  and  followed  after  Sir  Lamorak.  But  Sir  Dinadan 
would  not  joust  with  Sir  Lamorak,  but  he  told  King  Mark 
that  Sir  Lamorak  was  Sir  Kay,  the  Seneschal.  That  is 
not  so,  said  King  Mark,  for  he  is  much  bigger  than  Sir 
Kay  ;  and  so  he  followed  and  overtook  him,  and  bade 
him  abide.  What  will  you  do  ?  said  Sir  Lamorak.  Sir, 
he  said,  I  will  fight  with  a  sword,  for  ye  have  shamed  me 
with  a  spear  ;  and  therewith  they  dashed  together  with 
swords,  and  Sir  Lamorak  suffered  him  and  forbare  him. 
And  King  Mark  was  passing  hasty,  and  smote  thick 
strokes.  Sir  Lamorak  saw  he  would  not  stint,  and  waxed 
somewhat  wroth,  and  doubled  his  strokes,  for  he  was  one 
of  the  noblest  knights  of  the  world  ;  and  he  beat  him  so 
on  the  helm  that  his  head  hung  nigh  on  the  saddle  bow. 


CHAP,  ix    HOW  KING  MARK  WAS  KNOWN  17 

When  Sir  Lamorak  saw  him  fare  so,  he  said  :  Sir  knight, 
what  cheer  ?  meseemeth  you  have  nigh  your  fill  of  fighting, 
it  were  pity  to  do  you  any  more  harm,  for  ye  are  but  a 
mean  knight,  therefore  I  give  you  leave  to  go  where  ye 
list.  Gramercy,  said  King  Mark,  for  ye  and  I  be  not 
matches. 

Then  Sir  Dinadan  mocked  King  Mark  and  said  : 
Ye  are  not  able  to  match  a  good  knight.  As  for  that, 
said  King  Mark,  at  the  first  time  I  jousted  with  this 
knight  ye  refused  him.  Think  ye  that  it  is  a  shame  to 
me  ?  said  Sir  Dinadan  :  nay,  sir,  it  is  ever  worship  to  a 
knight  to  refuse  that  thing  that  he  may  not  attain,  there- 
fore your  worship  had  been  much  more  to  have  refused 
him  as  I  did ;  for  I  warn  you  plainly  he  is  able  to  beat 
such  five  as  ye  and  I  be ;  for  ye  knights  of  Cornwall  are 
no  men  of  worship  as  other  knights  are.  And  because  ye 
are  no  men  of  worship  ye  hate  all  men  of  worship,  for 
never  was  bred  in  your  country  such  a  knight  as  is  Sir 
Tristram. 


CHAPTER   IX 

How  King  Mark,  Sir  Lamorak,  and  Sir  Dinadan  came  to 
a  castle,  and  how  King  Mark  was  known  there. 

THEN  they  rode  forth  all  together,  King  Mark,  Sir 
Lamorak,  and  Sir  Dinadan,  till  that  they  came  to  a 
bridge,  and  at  the  end  thereof  stood  a  fair  tower.  Then 
saw  they  a  knight  on  horseback  well  armed,  brandishing 
a  spear,  crying  and  proffering  himself  to  joust.  Now, 
said  Sir  Dinadan  unto  King  Mark,  yonder  are  two 
brethren,  that  one  hight  Alein,  and  the  other  hight 
Trian,  that  will  joust  with  any  that  passeth  this  passage. 
Now  proffer  yourself,  said  Dinadan  to  King  Mark,  for 
ever  ye  be  laid  to  the  earth.  Then  King  Mark  was 
ashamed,  and  therewith  he  feutred  his  spear,  and  hurtled 
to  Sir  Trian,  and  either  brake  their  spears  all  to  pieces, 
and  passed  through  anon.  Then  Sir  Trian  sent  King 
VOL.  ir  c 


1 8  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

Mark  another  spear  to  joust  more  ;  but  in  no  wise  he 
would  not  joust  no  more.  Then  they  came  to  the  castle 
all  three  knights,  and  prayed  the  lord  of  the  castle  of 
harbour.  Ye  are  right  welcome,  said  the  knights  of  the 
castle,  for  the  love  of  the  lord  of  this  castle,  the  which 
hight  Sir  Tor  Je  Fise  Aries.  And  then  they  came  into  a 
fair  court  well  repaired,  and  they  had  passing  good  cheer, 
till  the  lieutenant  of  this  castle,  that  hight  Berluse,  espied 
King  Mark  of  Cornwall.  Then  said  Berluse  :  Sir  knight, 
I  know  you  better  than  you  ween,  for  ye  are  King  Mark 
that  slew  my  father  afore  mine  own  eyen ;  and  me  had 
ye  slain  had  I  not  escaped  into  a  wood  ;  but  wit  ye  well, 
for  the  love  of  my  lord  of  this  castle  I  will  neither  hurt 
you  nor  harm  you,  nor  none  of  your  fellowship.  But 
wit  ye  well,  when  ye  are  past  this  lodging  I  shall  hurt 
you  an  I  may,  for  ye  slew  my  father  traitorly.  But  first 
for  the  love  of  my  lord,  Sir  Tor,  and  for  the  love  of  Sir 
Lamorak,  the  honourable  knight  that  here  is  lodged,  ye 
shall  have  none  ill  lodging  ;  for  it  is  pity  that  ever  ye 
should  be  in  the  company  of  good  knights  ;  for  ye  are 
the  most  villainous  knight  or  king  that  is  now  known 
alive,  for  ye  are  a  destroyer  of  good  knights,  and  all 
that  ye  do  is  but  treason. 


CHAPTER  X 

How  Sir  Berluse  met  with  King  Mark,  and  how 
Sir  Dinadan  took  his  fart. 

THEN  was  King  Mark  sore  ashamed,  and  said  but  little 
again.  But  when  Sir  Lamorak  and  Sir  Dinadan  wist  that 
he  was  King  Mark  they  were  sorry  of  his  fellowship. 
So  after  supper  they  went  to  lodging.  So  on  the  morn 
they  arose  early,  and  King  Mark  and  Sir  Dinadan  rode 
together ;  and  three  mile  from  their  lodging  there  met 
with  them  three  knights,  and  Sir  Berluse  was  one,  and 
that  other  his  two  cousins.  Sir  Berluse  saw  King  Mark, 


CH.  x     OF  KING  MARK  AND  SIR  D1NADAN          19 

and  then  he  cried  on  high :  Traitor,  keep  thee  from  me, 
for  wit  thou  well  that  I  am  Berluse.  Sir  knight,  said  Sir 
Dinadan,  I  counsel  you  to  leave  off  at  this  time,  for  he  is 
riding  to  King  Arthur  ;  and  because  I  have  promised  to 
conduct  him  to  my  lord  King  Arthur  needs  must  I  take 
a  part  with  him  ;  howbeit  I  love  not  his  condition,  and 
fain  I  would  be  from  him.  Well,  Dinadan,  said  Sir 
Berluse,  me  repenteth  that  ye  will  take  part  with  him, 
but  now  do  your  best.  And  then  he  hurtled  to  King 
Mark,  and  smote  him  sore  upon  the  shield,  that  he  bare 
him  clean  out  of  his  saddle  to  the  earth.  That  saw  Sir 
Dinadan,  and  he  feutred  his  spear,  and  ran  to  one  of 
Berluse's  fellows,  and  smote  him  down  off  his  saddle. 
Then  Dinadan  turned  his  horse,  and  smote  the  third 
knight  in  the  same  wise  to  the  earth,  for  Sir  Dinadan 
was  a  good  knight  on  horseback  ;  and  there  began  a  great 
battle,  for  Berluse  and  his  fellows  held  them  together 
strongly  on  foot.  And  so  through  the  great  force  of  Sir 
Dinadan  King  Mark  had  Berluse  to  the  earth,  and  his 
two  fellows  fled  ;  and  had  not  been  Sir  Dinadan  King 
Mark  would  have  slain  him.  And  so  Sir  Dinadan 
rescued  him  of  his  life,  for  King  Mark  was  but  a 
murderer.  And  then  they  took  their  horses  and  departed, 
and  left  Sir  Berluse  there  sore  wounded. 

Then  King  Mark  and  Sir  Dinadan  rode  forth  a  four 
leagues  English,  till  that  they  came  to  a  bridge  where 
hoved  a  knight  on  horseback,  armed  and  ready  to  joust. 
Lo,  said  Sir  Dinadan  unto  King  Mark,  yonder  hoveth  a 
knight  that  will  joust,  for  there  shall  none  pass  this 
bridge  but  he  must  joust  with  that  knight.  It  is  well, 
said  King  Mark,  for  this  jousts  falleth  with  thee.  Sir 
Dinadan  knew  the  knight  well  that  he  was  a  noble  knight, 
and  fain  he  would  have  jousted,  but  he  had  had  liefer 
King  Mark  had  jousted  with  him,  but  by  no  mean  King 
Mark  would  not  joust.  Then  Sir  Dinadan  might  not 
refuse  him  in  no  manner.  And  then  either  dressed  their 
spears  and  their  shields,  and  smote  together,  so  that 
through  fine  force  Sir  Dinadan  was  smitten  to  the  earth  ; 
and  lightly  he  rose  up  and  gat  his  horse,  and  required 


20  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK,  x 

that  knight  to  do  battle  with  swords.  And  he  answered 
and  said  :  Fair  knight,  as  at  this  time  I  may  not  have  ado 
with  you  no  more,  for  the  custom  of  this  passage  is  such. 
Then  was  Sir  Dinadan  passing  wroth  that  he  might  not  be 
revenged  of  that  knight ;  and  so  he  departed,  and  in  no 
wise  would  that  knight  tell  his  name.  But  ever  Sir 
Dinadan  thought  he  should  know  him  by  his  shield  that 
it  should  be  Sir  Tor. 


CHAPTER  XI 

How  King  Mark  mocked  Sir  Dinadan,  and  how  they  met 
with  six  knights  of  the  Round  Table. 

So  as  they  rode  by  the  way  King  Mark  then  began  to 
mock  Sir  Dinadan,  and  said  :  I  weened  you  knights  of 
the  Table  Round  might  not  in  no  wise  find  their  matches. 
Ye  say  well,  said  Sir  Dinadan  ;  as  for  you,  on  my  life  I 
call  you  none  of  the  best  knights  ;  but  sith  ye  have  such 
a  despite  at  me  I  require  you  to  joust  with  me  to  prove 
my  strength.  Not  so,  said  King  Mark,  for  I  will  not 
have  ado  with  you  in  no  manner  ;  but  I  require  you  of 
one  thing,  that  when  ye  come  to  Arthur's  court  discover 
not  my  name,  for  I  am  there  so  hated.  It  is  shame  to 
you,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  that  ye  govern  you  so  shamefully  ; 
for  I  see  by  you  ye  are  full  of  cowardice,  and  ye  are  a 
murderer,  and  that  is  the  greatest  shame  that  a  knight 
may  have  ;  for  never  a  knight  being  a  murderer  hath 
worship,  nor  never  shall  have  ;  for  I  saw  but  late  through 
my  force  ye  would  have  slain  Sir  Berluse,  a  better  knight 
than  ye,  or  ever  ye  shall  be,  and  more  of  prowess.  Thus 
they  rode  forth  talking  till  they  came  to  a  fair  place, 
where  stood  a  knight,  and  prayed  them  to  take  their 
lodging  with  him.  So  at  the  request  of  that  knight  they 
reposed  them  there,  and  made  them  well  at  ease,  and  had 
great  cheer.  For  all  errant-knights  were  welcome  to  him, 
and  specially  all  those  of  Arthur's  court.  Then  Sir 


CH.XI   HOW  KING  MARK  MOCKED  DINADAN     21 

Dinadan  demanded  his  host  what  was  the  knight's  name 
that  kept  the  bridge.  For  what  cause  ask  you  it?  said 
the  host.  For  it  is  not  long  ago,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  sithen 
he  gave  me  a  fall.  Ah,  fair  knight,  said  his  host,  thereof 
have  ye  no  marvel,  for  he  is  a  passing  good  knight,  and 
his  name  is  Sir  Tor,  the  son  of  Aries  le  Vaysher.  Ah, 
said  Sir  Dinadan,  was  that  Sir  Tor?  for  truly  so  ever  me 
thought. 

Right  as  they  stood  thus  talking  together  they  saw 
come  riding  to  them  over  a  plain  six  knights  of  the  court 
of  King  Arthur,  well  armed  at  all  points.  And  there  by 
their  shields  Sir  Dinadan  knew  them  well.  The  first  was 
the  good  knight  Sir  Uwaine,  the  son  of  King  Uriens,  the 
second  was  the  noble  knight  Sir  Brandiles,  the  third  was 
Ozana  le  Cure  Hardy,  the  fourth  was  Uwaine  les  Aven- 
turous,  the  fifth  was  Sir  Agravaine,  the  sixth  Sir  Mordred, 
brother  to  Sir  Gawaine.  When  Sir  Dinadan  had  seen 
these  six  knights  he  thought  in  himself  he  would  bring 
King  Mark  by  some  wile  to  joust  with  one  of  them.  And 
anon  they  took  their  horses  and  ran  after  these  knights 
well  a  three  mile  English.  Then  was  King  Mark  ware 
where  they  sat  all  six  about  a  well,  and  ate  and  drank  such 
meats  as  they  had,  and  their  horses  walking  and  some  tied, 
and  their  shields  hung  in  divers  places  about  them.  Lo, 
said  Sir  Dinadan,  yonder  are  knights-errant  that  will  joust 
with  us.  God  forbid,  said  King  Mark,  for  they  be  six 
and  we  but  two.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  let  us 
not  spare,  for  I  will  assay  the  foremost ;  and  therewith  he 
made  him  ready.  When  King  Mark  saw  him  do  so,  as 
fast  as  Sir  Dinadan  rode  toward  them,  King  Mark  rode 
froward  them  with  all  his  menial  meiny.  So  when  Sir 
Dinadan  saw  King  Mark  was  gone,  he  set  the  spear  out  of 
the  rest,  and  threw  his  shield  upon  his  back,  and  came 
riding  to  the  fellowship  of  the  Table  Round.  And  anon 
Sir  Uwaine  knew  Sir  Dinadan,  and  welcomed  him,  and  so 
did  all  his  fellowship. 


22  MORTE  D ARTHUR  LOOK  x 


CHAPTER  XII 

How  the  six  knights  sent  Sir  Dagonet  to  joust  with  King 
Mark,  and  how  King  Mark  refused  him. 

AND  then  they  asked  him  of  his  adventures,  and  whether 
he  had  seen  Sir  Tristram  or  Sir  Launcelot.  So  God  me 
help,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  I  saw  none  of  them  sithen  I 
departed  from  Camelot.  What  knight  is  that,  said  Sir 
Brandiles,  that  so  suddenly  departed  from  you,  and  rode 
over  yonder  field  ?  Sir,  said  he,  it  was  a  knight  of 
Cornwall,  and  the  most  horrible  coward  that  ever  bestrode 
horse.  What  is  his  name  ?  said  all  these  knights.  I  wot 
not,  said  Sir  Dinadan.  So  when  they  had  reposed  them, 
and  spoken  together,  they  took  their  horses  and  rode  to  a 
castle  where  dwelt  an  old  knight  that  made  all  knights- 
errant  good  cheer.  Then  in  the  meanwhile  that  they  were 
talking  came  into  the  castle  Sir  Griflet  le  Fise  de  Dieu, 
and  there  was  he  welcome  ;  and  they  all  asked  him  whether 
he  had  seen  Sir  Launcelot  or  Sir  Tristram.  Sirs,  he 
answered,  I  saw  him  not  sithen  he  departed  from  Camelot. 
So  as  Sir  Dinadan  walked  and  beheld  the  castle,  thereby  in 
a  chamber  he  espied  King  Mark,  and  then  he  rebuked 
him,  and  asked  him  why  he  departed  so.  Sir,  said  he,  for 
I  durst  not  abide  because  they  were  so  many.  But  how 
escaped  ye  ?  said  King  Mark.  Sir,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  they 
were  better  friends  than  I  weened  they  had  been.  Who 
is  captain  of  that  fellowship  ?  said  the  king.  Then  for  to 
fear  him  Sir  Dinadan  said  that  it  was  Sir  Launcelot.  O 
Jesu,  said  the  king,  might  I  know  Sir  Launcelot  by  his 
shield  ?  Yea,  said  Dinadan,  for  he  beareth  a  shield  of 
silver  and  black  bends.  All  this  he  said  to  fear  the  king, 
for  Sir  Launcelot  was  not  in  his  fellowship.  Now  I  pray 
you,  said  King  Mark,  that  ye  will  ride  in  my  fellowship. 
That  is  me  loath  to  do,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  because  ye  forsook 
my  fellowship. 

Right  so  Sir  Dinadan  went  from  King  Mark,  and  went 


CH.  xii   HOW  DAGONET  CHASED  KING  MARK     23 

to  his  own  fellowship  ;  and  so  they  mounted  upon  their 
horses,  and  rode  on  their  ways,  and  talked  of  the  Cornish 
knight,  for  Dinadan  told  them  that  he  was  in  the  castle 
where  they  were  lodged.  It  is  well  said,  said  Sir  Griflet, 
for  here  have  I  brought  Sir  Dagonet,  King  Arthur's  fool, 
that  is  the  best  fellow  and  the  merriest  in  the  world.  Will 
ye  do  well  ?  said  Sir  Dinadan  :  I  have  told  the  Cornish 
knight  that  here  is  Sir  Launcelot,  and  the  Cornish  knight 
asked  me  what  shield  he  bare.  Truly,  I  told  him  that  he 
bare  the  same  shield  that  Sir  Mordred  beareth.  Will  ye 
do  well  ?  said  Sir  Mordred  ;  I  am  hurt  and  may  not  well 
bear  my  shield  nor  harness,  and  therefore  put  my  shield 
and  my  harness  upon  Sir  Dagonet,  and  let  him  set  upon 
the  Cornish  knight.  That  shall  be  done,  said  Sir  Dagonet, 
by  my  faith.  Then  anon  was  Dagonet  armed  him  in 
Mordred's  harness  and  his  shield,  and  he  was  set  on  a 
great  horse,  and  a  spear  in  his  hand.  Now,  said  Dagonet, 
shew  me  the  knight,  and  I  trow  I  shall  bear  him  down. 
So  all  these  knights  rode  to  a  woodside,  and  abode  till 
King  Mark  came  by  the  way.  Then  they  put  forth  Sir 
Dagonet,  and  he  came  on  all  the  while  his  horse  might 
run,  straight  upon  King  Mark.  And  when  he  came  nigh 
King  Mark,  he  cried  as  he  were  wood,  and  said  :  Keep 
thee,  knight  of  Cornwall,  for  I  will  slay  thee.  Anon,  as 
King  Mark  beheld  his  shield,  he  said  to  himself :  Yonder 
is  Sir  Launcelot ;  alas,  now  am  I  destroyed ;  and  there- 
withal he  made  his  horse  to  run  as  fast  as  it  might  through 
thick  and  thin.  And  ever  Sir  Dagonet  followed  after  King 
Mark,  crying  and  rating  him  as  a  wood  man,  through  a 
great  forest.  When  Sir  Uwaine  and  Sir  Brandiles  saw 
Dagonet  so  chase  King  Mark,  they  laughed  all  as  they 
were  wood.  And  then  they  took  their  horses,  and  rode 
after  to  see  how  Sir  Dagonet  sped,  for  they  would  not  for 
no  good  that  Sir  Dagonet  were  shent,  for  King  Arthur 
loved  him  passing  well,  and  made  him  knight  with  his  own 
hands.  And  at  every  tournament  he  began  to  make  King 
Arthur  to  laugh.  Then  the  knights  rode  here  and  there, 
crying  and  chasing  after  King  Mark,  that  all  the  forest 
rang  of  the  noise. 


24  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 


CHAPTER   XIII 

How  Sir  Palomides  by  adventure  met  King  Mark  flying, 
and  how  he  overthrew  Dagonet  and  other  knights. 

So  King  Mark  rode  by  fortune  by  a  well,  in  the  way 
where  stood  a  knight-errant  on  horseback,  armed  at  all 
points,  with  a  great  spear  in  his  hand.  And  when  he 
saw  King  Mark  coming  flying  he  said  :  Knight,  return 
again  for  shame  and  stand  with  me,  and  I  shall  be  thy 
warrant.  Ah,  fair  knight,  said  King  Mark,  let  me  pass 
for  yonder  cometh  after  me  the  best  knight  of  the  world, 
with  the  black  bended  shield.  Fie,  for  shame,  said  the 
knight,  he  is  none  of  the  worthy  knights,  and  if  he  were 
Sir  Launcelot  or  Sir  Tristram  I  should  not  doubt  to 
meet  the  better  of  them  both.  When  King  Mark  heard 
him  say  that  word,  he  turned  his  horse  and  abode  by 
him.  And  then  that  strong  knight  bare  a  spear  to 
Dagonet,  and  smote  him  so  sore  that  he  bare  him  over 
his  horse's  tail,  and  nigh  he  had  broken  his  neck.  And 
anon  after  him  came  Sir  Brandiles,  and  when  he  saw 
Dagonet  have  that  fall  he  was  passing  wroth,  and  cried  : 
Keep  thee,  knight,  and  so  they  hurtled  together  wonder 
sore.  But  the  knight  smote  Sir  Brandiles  so  sore  that 
he  went  to  the  earth,  horse  and  man.  Sir  Uwaine  came 
after  and  saw  all  this.  Jesu,  said  he,  yonder  is  a  strong 
knight.  And  then  they  feutred  their  spears,  and  this 
knight  came  so  eagerly  that  he  smote  down  Sir  Uwaine. 
Then  came  Ozana  with  the  hardy  heart,  and  he  was 
smitten  down.  Now,  said  Sir  Griflet,  by  my  counsel  let 
us  send  to  yonder  errant-knight,  and  wit  whether  he  be 
of  Arthur's  court,  for  as  I  deem  it  is  Sir  Lamorak  de 
Galis.  So  they  sent  unto  him,  and  prayed  the  strange 
knight  to  tell  his  name,  and  whether  he  were  of  Arthur's 
court  or  not.  As  for  my  name  they  shall  not  wit,  but 
tell  them  I  am  a  knight-errant  as  they  are,  and  let  them 
wit  that  I  am  no  knight  of  King  Arthur's  court ;  and 


CH.  xin     OF  PALOMIDES  AND  KING  MARK  25 

so  the  squire  rode  again  unto  them  and  told  them  his 
answer  of  him.  By  my  head,  said  Sir  Agravaine,  he  is 
one  of  the  strongest  knights  that  ever  I  saw,  for  he  hath 
overthrown  three  noble  knights,  and  needs  we  must 
encounter  with  him  for  shame.  So  Sir  Agravaine  feutred 
his  spear,  and  that  other  was  ready,  and  smote  him  down 
over  his  horse  to  the  earth.  And  in  the  same  wise  he 
smote  Sir  Uwaine  les  Avoutres  and  also  Sir  Griflet. 
Then  had  he  served  them  all  but  Sir  Dinadan,  for  he 
was  behind,  and  Sir  Mordred  was  unarmed,  and  Dagonet 
had  his  harness. 

So  when  this  was  done,  this  strong  knight  rode  on 
his  way  a  soft  pace,  and  King  Mark  rode  after  him, 
praising  him  mickle  ;  but  he  would  answer  no  words, 
but  sighed  wonderly  sore,  hanging  down  his  head,  taking 
no  heed  to  his  words.  Thus  they  rode  well  a  three  mile 
English,  and  then  this  knight  called  to  him  a  varlet,  and 
bade  him  ride  until  yonder  fair  manor,  and  recommend 
me  to  the  lady  of  that  castle  and  place,  and  pray  her  to 
send  me  refreshing  of  good  meats  and  drinks.  And  if 
she  ask  thee  what  I  am,  tell  her  that  I  am  the  knight 
that  followeth  the  glatisant  beast:  that  is  in  English  to 
say  the  questing  beast ;  for  that  beast  wheresomever  he 
yede  he  quested  in  the  belly  with  such  a  noise  as  it  had 
been  a  thirty  couple  of  hounds.  Then  the  varlet  went 
his  way  and  came  to  the  manor,  and  saluted  the  lady,  and 
told  her  from  whence  he  came.  And  when  she  under- 
stood that  he  came  from  the  knight  that  followed  the 
questing  beast :  O  sweet  Lord  Jesu,  she  said,  when  shall 
I  see  that  noble  knight,  my  dear  son  Palomides  ?  Alas, 
will  he  not  abide  with  me  ?  and  therewith  she  swooned 
and  wept,  and  made  passing  great  dole.  And  then  also 
soon  as  she  might  she  gave  the  varlet  all  that  he  asked. 
And  the  varlet  returned  unto  Sir  Palomides,  for  he  was 
a  varlet  of  King  Mark.  And  as  soon  as  he  came,  he 
told  the  knight's  name  was  Sir  Palomides.  I  am  well 
pleased,  said  King  Mark,  but  hold  thee  still  and  say 
nothing.  Then  they  alighted  and  set  them  down  and 
reposed  them  a  while.  Anon  withal  King  Mark  fell 


26  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

asleep.  When  Sir  Palomides  saw  him  sound  asleep  he 
took  his  horse  and  rode  his  way,  and  said  to  them  :  I 
will  not  be  in  the  company  of  a  sleeping  knight.  And 
so  he  rode  forth  a  great  pace. 


CHAPTER   XIV 

How  King  Mark  and  Sir  Dinadan  heard  Sir  Palomides 
making  great  sorrow  and  mourning  for  La  Beale  Isoud. 

Now  turn  we  unto  Sir  Dinadan,  that  found  these  seven 
knights  passing  heavy.  And  when  he  wist  how  that  they 
sped,  as  heavy  was  he.  My  lord  Uwaine,  said  Dinadan,  I 
dare  lay  my  head  it  is  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis.  I  promise 
you  all  I  shall  find  him  an  he  may  be  found  in  this 
country.  And  so  Sir  Dinadan  rode  after  this  knight ; 
and  so  did  King  Mark,  that  sought  him  through  the 
forest.  So  as  King  Mark  rode  after  Sir  Palomides  he 
heard  the  noise  of  a  man  that  made  great  dole.  Then 
King  Mark  rode  as  nigh  that  noise  as  he  might  and  as  he 
durst.  Then  was  he  ware  of  a  knight  that  was  descended 
off  his  horse,  and  had  put  off  his  helm,  and  there  he  made 
a  piteous  complaint  and  a  dolorous,  of  love. 

Now  leave  we  that,  and  talk  we  of  Sir  Dinadan,  that 
rode  to  seek  Sir  Palomides.  And  as  he  came  within  a 
forest  he  met  with  a  knight,  a  chaser  of  a  deer.  Sir, 
said  Sir  Dinadan,  met  ye  with  a  knight  with  a  shield 
of  silver  and  lions'  heads  ?  Yea,  fair  knight,  said  the 
other,  with  such  a  knight  met  I  with  but  a  while  agone, 
and  straight  yonder  way  he  yede.  Gramercy,  said  Sir 
Dinadan,  for  might  I  find  the  track  of  his  horse  I  should 
not  fail  to  find  that  knight.  Right  so  as  Sir  Dinadan 
rode  in  the  even  late  he  heard  a  doleful  noise  as  it  were 
of  a  man.  Then  Sir  Dinadan  rode  toward  that  noise  ; 
and  when  he  came  nigh  that  noise  he  alighted  off  his 
horse,  and  went  near  him  on  foot.  Then  was  he  ware  of 
a  knight  that  stood  under  a  tree,  and  his  horse  tied  by 


CH.  xiv   HOW  KING  MARK  SLEW  SIR  AMANT       27 

him,  and  the  helm  off  his  head  ;  and  ever  that  knight 
made  a  doleful  complaint  as  ever  made  knight.  And 
always  he  made  his  complaint  of  La  Beale  Isoud,  the 
Queen  of  Cornwall,  and  said  :  Ah,  fair  lady,  why  love  I 
thee!  for  thou  art  fairest  of  all  other,  and  yet  showest 
thou  never  love  to  me,  nor  bounty.  Alas,  yet  must  I 
love  thee.  And  I  may  not  blame  thee,  fair  lady,  for 
mine  eyes  be  cause  of  this  sorrow.  And  yet  to  love 
thee  I  am  but  a  fool,  for  the  best  knight  of  the  world 
loveth  thee,  and  ye  him  again,  that  is  Sir  Tristram  de 
Liones.  And  the  falsest  king  and  knight  is  your  husband, 
and  the  most  coward  and  full  of  treason,  is  your  lord, 
King  Mark.  Alas,  that  ever  so  fair  a  lady  and  peerless 
of  all  other  should  be  matched  with  the  most  villainous 
knight  of  the  world.  All  this  language  heard  King 
Mark,  what  Sir  Palomides  said  by  him  ;  wherefore  he 
was  adread  when  he  saw  Sir  Dinadan,  lest  he  espied  him, 
that  he  would  tell  Sir  Palomides  that  he  was  King  Mark  ; 
and  therefore  he  withdrew  him,  and  took  his  horse  and 
rode  to  his  men,  where  he  commanded  them  to  abide. 
And  so  he  rode  as  fast  as  he  might  unto  Camelot ;  and 
the  same  day  he  found  there  Amant,  the  knight,  ready 
that  afore  Arthur  had  appealed  him  of  treason  ;  and  so, 
lightly  the  king  commanded  them  to  do  battle.  And  by 
misadventure  King  Mark  smote  Amant  through  the  body. 
And  yet  was  Amant  in  the  righteous  quarrel.  And  right 
so  he  took  his  horse  and  departed  from  the  court  for 
dread  of  Sir  Dinadan,  that  he  would  tell  Sir  Tristram  and 
Sir  Palomides  what  he  was.  Then  were  there  maidens 
that  La  Beale  Isoud  had  sent  to  Sir  Tristram,  that  knew 
Sir  Amant  well. 


28  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 


CHAPTER   XV 

How  King  Mark  had  slain  Sir  Amant  wrongfully  to-fore 
King  Arthur,  and  Sir  Launcelot  fetched  King  Mark  to 
King  Arthur. 

THEN  by  the  license  of  King  Arthur  they  went  to  him 
and  spake  with  him  ;  for  while  the  truncheon  of  the  spear 
stuck  in  his  body  he  spake :  Ah,  fair  damoseJs,  said 
Amant,  recommend  me  unto  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  tell  her 
that  I  am  slain  for  the  love  of  her  and  of  Sir  Tristram. 
And  there  he  told  the  damosels  how  cowardly  King  Mark 
had  slain  him,  and  Sir  Bersules,  his  fellow.  And  for  that 
deed  I  appealed  him  of  treason,  and  here  am  I  slain  in  a 
righteous  quarrel ;  and  all  was  because  Sir  Bersules  and  I 
would  not  consent  by  treason  to  slay  the  noble  knight,  Sir 
Tristram.  Then  the  two  maidens  cried  aloud  that  all  the 
court  might  hear  it,  and  said  :  O  sweet  Lord  Jesu,  that 
knowest  all  hid  things,  why  sufferest  Thou  so  false  a 
traitor  to  vanquish  and  slay  a  true  knight  that  fought  in 
a  righteous  quarrel?  Then  anon  it  was  sprung  to  the 
king,  and  the  queen,  and  to  all  the  lords,  that  it  was  King 
Mark  that  had  slain  Sir  Amant,  and  Sir  Bersules  afore- 
hand  ;  wherefore  they  did  their  battle.  Then  was  King 
Arthur  wroth  out  of  measure,  and  so  were  all  the  other 
knights.  But  when  Sir  Tristram  knew  all  the  matter  he 
made  great  dole  and  sorrow  out  of  measure,  and  wept  for 
sorrow  for  the  loss  of  the  noble  knights,  Sir  Bersules  and 
of  Sir  Amant. 

When  Sir  Launcelot  espied  Sir  Tristram  weep  he  went 
hastily  to  King  Arthur,  and  said  :  Sir,  I  pray  you  give  me 
leave  to  return  again  to  yonder  false  king  and  knight.  I 
pray  you,  said  King  Arthur,  fetch  him  again,  but  I  would 
not  that  ye  slew  him,  for  my  worship.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
armed  him  in  all  haste,  and  mounted  upon  a  great  horse, 
and  took  a  spear  in  his  hand  and  rode  after  King  Mark. 
And  from  thence  a  three  mile  English  Sir  Launcelot  over- 


CH.  xv     OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  KING  MARK  29 

took  him,  and  bade  him  :  Turn  recreant  king  and  knight, 
for  whether  thou  wilt  or  not  thou  shalt  go  with  me  to 
King  Arthur's  court.  King  Mark  returned  and  looked 
upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and  said :  Fair  sir,  what  is  your  name  ? 
Wit  thou  well,  said  he,  my  name  is  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
therefore  defend  thee.  And  when  King  Mark  wist  that  it 
was  Sir  Launcelot,  and  came  so  fast  upon  him  with  a  spear, 
he  cried  then  aloud  :  I  yield  me  to  thee,  Sir  Launcelot, 
honourable  knight.  But  Sir  Launcelot  would  not  hear 
him,  but  came  fast  upon  him.  King  Mark  saw  that,  and 
made  no  defence,  but  tumbled  adown  out  of  his  saddle 
to  the  earth  as  a  sack,  and  there  he  lay  still,  and  cried  Sir 
Launcelot  mercy.  Arise,  recreant  knight  and  king.  I 
will  not  fight,  said  King  Mark,  but  whither  that  ye  will 
I  will  go  with  you.  Alas,  alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  I 
may  not  give  thee  one  buffet  for  the  love  of  Sir  Tristram 
and  of  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  for  the  two  knights  that  thou 
hast  slain  traitorly.  And  so  he  mounted  upon  his  horse 
and  brought  him  to  King  Arthur  ;  and  there  King  Mark 
alighted  in  that  same  place,  and  threw  his  helm  from  him 
upon  the  earth,  and  his  sword,  and  fell  flat  to  the  earth  of 
King  Arthur's  feet,  and  put  him  in  his  grace  and  mercy. 
So  God  me  help,  said  Arthur,  ye  are  welcome  in  a  manner, 
and  in  a  manner  ye  are  not  welcome.  In  this  manner  ye 
are  welcome,  that  ye  come  hither  maugre  thy  head,  as  I 
suppose.  That  is  truth,  said  King  Mark,  and  else  I  had 
not  been  here,  for  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  brought  me 
hither  through  his  fine  force,  and  to  him  am  I  yolden  to 
as  recreant.  Well,  said  Arthur,  ye  understand  ye  ought 
to  do  me  service,  homage,  and  fealty.  And  never  would 
ye  do  me  none,  but  ever  ye  have  been  against  me,  and  a 
destroyer  of  my  knights  ;  now,  how  will  ye  acquit  you  ? 
Sir,  said  King  Mark,  right  as  your  lordship  will  require 
me,  unto  my  power,  I  will  make  a  large  amends.  For  he 
was  a  fair  speaker,  and  false  thereunder.  Then  for  great 
pleasure  of  Sir  Tristram,  to  make  them  twain  accorded, 
the  king  withheld  King  Mark  as  at  that  time,  and  made  a 
broken  love-day  between  them. 


30  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 


CHAPTER    XVI 

How  Sir  Dinadan  told  Sir  Palomides  of  the  battle  between 
Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Tristram. 

Now  turn  we  again  unto  Sir  Palomides,  how  Sir  Dinadan 
comforted  him  in  all  that  he  might,  from  his  great  sorrow. 
What  knight  are  ye  ?  said  Sir  Palomides.  Sir,  I  am  a 
knight-errant  as  ye  be,  that  hath  sought  you  long  by  your 
shield.  Here  is  my  shield,  said  Sir  Palomides,  wit  ye 
well,  an  ye  will  ought,  therewith  I  will  defend  it.  Nay, 
said  Sir  Dinadan,  I  will  not  have  ado  with  you  but  in  good 
manner.  And  if  ye  will,  ye  shall  find  me  soon  ready. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  whitherward  ride  you  this  way  ?  By 
my  head,  said  Sir  Palomides,  I  wot  not,  but  as  fortune 
leadeth  me.  Heard  ye  or  saw  ye  ought  of  Sir  Tristram  ? 
So  God  me  help,  of  Sir  Tristram  I  both  heard  and  saw, 
and  not  for  then  we  loved  not  inwardly  well  together,  yet 
at  my  mischief  Sir  Tristram  rescued  me  from  my  death  ; 
and  yet,  or  he  and  I  departed,  by  both  our  assents  we 
assigned  a  day  that  we  should  have  met  at  the  stony  grave 
that  Merlin  set  beside  Camel ot,  and  there  to  have  done 
battle  together  ;  howbeit  I  was  letted,  said  Sir  Palomides, 
that  I  might  not  hold  my  day,  the  which  grieveth  me 
sore  ;  but  I  have  a  large  excuse.  For  I  was  prisoner  with 
a  lord,  and  many  other  more,  and  that  shall  Sir  Tristram 
right  well  understand,  that  I  brake  it  not  of  fear  of 
cowardice.  And  then  Sir  Palomides  told  Sir  Dinadan  the 
same  day  that  they  should  have  met.  So  God  me  help, 
said  Sir  Dinadan,  that  same  day  met  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir 
Tristram  at  the  same  grave  of  stone.  And  there  was  the 
most  mightiest  battle  that  ever  was  seen  in  this  land 
betwixt  two  knights,  for  they  fought  more  than  two 
hours.  And  there  they  both  bled  so  much  blood  that  all 
men  marvelled  that  ever  they  might  endure  it.  And  so 
at  the  last,  by  both  their  assents,  they  were  made  friends 
and  sworn-brethren  for  ever,  and  no  man  can  judge  the 


CHAP,  xvi    SIR  DINADAN  AND  SIR  PALOMIDES     31 

better  knight.  And  now  is  Sir  Tristram  made  a  knight 
of  the  Round  Table,  and  he  sitteth  in  the  siege  of  the 
noble  knight,  Sir  Marhaus.  By  my  head,  said  Sir  Palo- 
mides,  Sir  Tristram  is  far  bigger  than  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
the  hardier  knight.  Have  ye  assayed  them  both  ?  said 
Sir  Dinadan.  I  have  seen  Sir  Tristram  fight,  said  Sir 
Palomides,  but  never  Sir  Launcelot  to  my  witting.  But 
at  the  fountain  where  Sir  Launcelot  lay  asleep,  there  with 
one  spear  he  smote  down  Sir  Tristram  and  me,  said 
Palomides,  but  at  that  time  they  knew  not  either  other. 
Fair  knight,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  as  for  Sir  Launcelot  and 
Sir  Tristram  let  them  be,  for  the  worst  of  them  will  not 
be  lightly  matched  of  no  knights  that  I  know  living.  No, 
said  Sir  Palomides,  God  defend,  but  an  I  had  a  quarrel  to 
the  better  of  them  both  I  would  with  as  good  a  will  fight 
with  him  as  with  you.  Sir,  I  require  you  tell  me  your 
name,  and  in  good  faith  I  shall  hold  you  company  till  that 
we  come  to  Camelot ;  and  there  shall  ye  have  great  worship 
now  at  this  great  tournament ;  for  there  shall  be  the 
Queen  Guenever,  and  La  Beale  Isoud  of  Cornwall.  Wit 
you  well,  sir  knight,  for  the  love  of  La  Beale  Isoud  I  will 
be  there,  and  else  not,  but  I  will  not  have  ado  in  King 
Arthur's  court.  Sir,  said  Dinadan,  I  shall  ride  with  you 
and  do  you  service,  so  you  will  tell  me  your  name.  Sir, 
ye  shall  understand  my  name  is  Sir  Palomides,  brother  to 
Safere,  the  good  and  noble  knight.  And  Sir  Segwarides 
and  I,  we  be  Saracens  born,  of  father  and  mother.  Sir, 
said  Sir  Dinadan,  I  thank  you  much  for  the  telling  of 
your  name.  For  I  am  glad  of  that  I  know  your  name, 
and  I  promise  you  by  the  faith  of  my  body,  ye  shall  not 
be  hurt  by  me  by  my  will,  but  rather  be  advanced.  And 
thereto  will  I  help  you  with  all  my  power,  I  promise  you, 
doubt  ye  not.  And  certainly  on  my  life  ,ye  shall  win 
great  worship  in  the  court  of  King  Arthur,  and  be  right 
welcome.  So  then  they  dressed  on  their  helms  and  put  on 
their  shields,  and  mounted  upon  their  horses,  and  took 
the  broad  way  towards  Camelot.  And  then  were  they 
ware  of  a  castle  that  was  fair  and  rich,  and  also  passing 
strong  as  any  was  within  this  realm. 


32  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  * 


CHAPTER   XVII 

How  Sir  Lamorak  jousted  with  divers  knights  of  the  castle 
wherein  was  Morgan  le  Fay. 

SIR  PALOMIDES,  said  Dinadan,  here  is  a  castle  that  I  know 
well,  and  therein  dwelleth  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay,  King 
Arthur's  sister  ;  and  King  Arthur  gave  her  this  castle,  the 
which  he  hath  repented  him  sithen  a  thousand  times,  for 
sithen  King  Arthur  and  she  have  been  at  debate  and 
strife ;  but  this  castle  could  he  never  get  nor  win  of  her 
by  no  manner  of  engine  ;  and  ever  as  she  might  she  made 
war  on  King  Arthur.  And  all  dangerous  knights  she 
withholdeth  with  her,  for  to  destroy  all  these  knights  that 
King  Arthur  loveth.  And  there  shall  no  knight  pass  this 
way  but  he  must  joust  with  one  knight,  or  with  two,  or 
with  three.  And  if  it  hap  that  King  Arthur's  knight  be 
beaten,  he  shall  lose  his  horse  and  his  harness  and  all  that 
he  hath,  and  hard,  if  that  he  escape,  but  that  he  shall  be 
prisoner.  So  God  me  help,  said  Palomides,  this  is  a 
shameful  custom,  and  a  villainous  usance  for  a  queen  to 
use,  and  namely  to  make  such  war  upon  her  own  lord, 
that  is  called  the  Flower  of  Chivalry  that  is  Christian  or 
heathen  ;  and  with  all  my  heart  I  would  destroy  that 
shameful  custom.  And  I  will  that  all  the  world  wit  she 
shall  have  no  service  of  me.  And  if  she  send  out  any 
knights,  as  I  suppose  she  will,  for  to  joust,  they  shall  have 
both  their  hands  full.  And  I  shall  not  fail  you,  said  Sir 
Dinadan,  unto  my  puissance,  upon  my  life. 

So  as  they  stood  on  horseback  afore  the  castle,  there 
came  a  knight  with  a  red  shield,  and  two  squires  after 
him  ;  and  he  came  straight  unto  Sir  Palomides,  the  good 
knight,  and  said  to  him  :  Fair  and  gentle  knight-errant, 
I  require  thee  for  the  love  thou  owest  unto  knighthood, 
that  ye  will  not  have  ado  here  with  these  men  of  this 
castle  ;  for  this  was  Sir  Lamorak  that  thus  said.  For  I 
came  hither  to  seek  this  deed,  and  it  is  my  request ;  and 


CH.  xvm    OF  PALOMIDES  AND  LAMORAK  33 

therefore  I  beseech  you,  knight,  let  me  deal,  and  if  I  be 
beaten  revenge  me.  In  the  name  of  God,  said  Palomides, 
let  see  how  ye  will  speed,  and  we  shall  behold  you.  Then 
anon  came  forth  a  knight  of  the  castle,  and  proffered  to 
joust  with  the  Knight  with  the  Red  Shield.  Anon  they 
encountered  together,  and  he  with  the  red  shield  smote 
him  so  hard  that  he  bare  him  over  to  the  earth.  There- 
with anon  came  another  knight  of  the  castle,  and  he  was 
smitten  so  sore  that  he  avoided  his  saddle.  And  forth- 
withal  came  the  third  knight,  and  the  Knight  with  the  Red 
Shield  smote  him  to  the  earth.  Then  came  Sir  Palomides, 
and  besought  him  that  he  might  help  him  to  joust.  Fair 
knight,  said  he  unto  him,  suffer  me  as  at  this  time  to  have 
my  will,  for  an  they  were  twenty  knights  I  shall  not  doubt 
them.  And  ever  there  were  upon  the  walls  of  the  castle 
many  lords  and  ladies  that  cried  and  said  :  Well  have  ye 
jousted,  Knight  with  the  Red  Shield.  But  as  soon  as 
the  knight  had  smitten  them  down,  his  squire  took  their 
horses,  and  avoided  their  saddles  and  bridles  of  the  horses, 
and  turned  them  into  the  forest,  and  made  the  knights  to 
be  kept  to  the  end  of  the  jousts.  Right  so  came  out  of 
the  castle  the  fourth  knight,  and  freshly  proffered  to  joust 
with  the  Knight  with  the  Red  Shield  :  and  he  was  ready, 
and  he  smote  him  so  hard  that  horse  and  man  fell  to  the 
earth,  and  the  knight's  back  brake  with  the  fall,  and  his 
neck  also.  O  Jesu,  said  Sir  Palomides,  that  yonder  is  a 
passing  good  knight,  and  the  best  jouster  that  ever  I 
saw.  By  my  head,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  he  is  as  good  as 
ever  was  Sir  Launcelot  or  Sir  Tristram,  what  knight 
somever  he  be. 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

How  Sir  Palomides  would  have  jousted  for  Sir  Lamorak 
with  the  knights  of  the  castle. 

THEN  forthwithal  came  a  knight  out  of  the  castle,  with 
a  shield  bended  with  black  and  with  white.     And  anon 

VOL.   II  D 


34  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

the  Knight  with  the  Red  Shield  and  he  encountered  so 
hard  that  he  smote  the  knight  of  the  castle  through  the 
bended  shield  and  through  the  body,  and  brake  the  horse's 
back.  Fair  knight,  said  Sir  Palomides,  ye  have  overmuch 
on  hand,  therefore  I  pray  you  let  me  joust,  for  ye  had 
need  to  be  reposed.  Why  sir,  said  the  knight,  seem  ye 
that  I  am  weak  and  feeble  ?  and  sir,  methinketh  ye  proffer 
me  wrong,  and  to  me  shame,  when  I  do  well  enough.  I 
tell  you  now  as  I  told  you  erst ;  for  an  they  were  twenty 
knights  I  shall  beat  them,  and  if  I  be  beaten  or  slain  then 
may  ye  revenge  me.  And  if  ye  think  that  I  be  weary, 
and  ye  have  an  appetite  to  joust  with  me,  I  shall  find  you 
jousting  enough.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  I  said  it  not  be- 
cause I  would  joust  with  you,  but  meseemeth  that  ye  have 
overmuch  on  hand.  And  therefore,  an  ye  were  gentle, 
said  the  Knight  with  the  Red  Shield,  ye  should  not  proffer 
me  shame  ;  therefore  I  require  you  to  joust  with  me,  and 
ye  shall  find  that  I  am  not  weary.  Sith  ye  require  me, 
said  Sir  Palomides,  take  keep  to  yourself.  Then  they  two 
knights  came  together  as  fast  as  their  horses  might  run, 
and  the  knight  smote  Sir  Palomides  so  sore  on  the  shield 
that  the  spear  went  into  his  side  a  great  wound,  and 
a  perilous.  And  therewithal  Sir  Palomides  avoided  his 
saddle.  And  that  knight  turned  unto  Sir  Dinadan ;  and 
when  he  saw  him  coming  he  cried  aloud,  and  said  :  Sir, 
I  will  not  have  ado  with  you  ;  but  for  that  he  let  it  not, 
but  came  straight  upon  him.  So  Sir  Dinadan  for  shame 
put  forth  his  spear  and  all  to-shivered  it  upon  the  knight. 
But  he  smote  Sir  Dinadan  again  so  hard  that  he  smote 
him  clean  from  his  saddle  ;  but  their  horses  he  would  not 
suffer  his  squires  to  meddle  with,  and  because  they  were 
knights-errant. 

Then  he  dressed  him  again  to  the  castle,  and  jousted 
with  seven  knights  more,  and  there  was  none  of  them 
might  withstand  him,  but  he  bare  him  to  the  earth.  And 
of  these  twelve  knights  he  slew  in  plain  jousts  four.  And 
the  eight  knights  he  made  them  to  swear  on  the  cross  of 
a  sword  that  they  should  never  use  the  evil  customs  of  the 
castle.  And  when  he  had  made  them  to  swear  that  oath 


CH.  xix   LAMORAK  JOUSTS  WITH  PALOMIDES     35 

he  let  them  pass.  And  ever  stood  the  lords  and  the 
ladies  on  the  castle  walls  crying  and  saying :  Knight  with 
the  Red  Shield,  ye  have  marvellously  well  done  as  ever 
we  saw  knight  do.  And  therewith  came  a  knight  out  of 
the  castle  unarmed,  and  said  :  Knight  with  the  Red  Shield, 
overmuch  damage  hast  thou  done  to  us  this  day,  therefore 
return  whither  thou  wilt,  for  here  are  no  more  will  have 
ado  with  thee  ;  for  we  repent  sore  that  ever  thou  earnest 
here,  for  by  thee  is  fordone  the  old  custom  of  this  castle. 
And  with  that  word  he  turned  again  into  the  castle,  and 
shut  the  gates.  Then  the  Knight  with  the  Red  Shield 
turned  and  called  his  squires,  and  so  passed  forth  on  his 
way,  and  rode  a  great  pace. 

And  when  he  was  past  Sir  Palomides  went  to  Sir 
Dinadan,  and  said  :  I  had  never  such  a  shame  of  one 
knight  that  ever  I  met ;  and  therefore  I  cast  me  to 
ride  after  him,  and  to  be  revenged  with  my  sword,  for 
a-horseback  I  deem  I  shall  get  no  worship  of  him.  Sir 
Palomides,  said  Dinadan,  ye  shall  not  meddle  with  him 
by  my  counsel,  for  ye  shall  get  no  worship  of  him  ;  and 
for  this  cause,  ye  have  seen  him  this  day  have  had  over- 
much to  do,  and  overmuch  travailed.  By  almighty 
Jesu,  said  Palomides,  I  shall  never  be  at  ease  till  that  I 
have  had  ado  with  him.  Sir,  said  Dinadan,  I  shall  give 
you  my  beholding.  Well,  said  Palomides,  then  shall  ye 
see  how  we  shall  redress  our  mights.  So  they  took  their 
horses  of  their  varlets,  and  rode  after  the  Knight  with  the 
Red  Shield  ;  and  down  in  a  valley  beside  a  fountain  they 
were  ware  where  he  was  alighted  to  repose  him,  and  had 
done  off  his  helm  for  to  drink  at  the  well. 


CHAPTER   XIX 

How  Sir  Lamorak  jousted  with  Sir  Palomides,  and  hurt 
him  grievously. 

THEN  Palomides  rode  fast  till  he  came  nigh  him.     And 
then    he   said  :    Knight,  remember  ye  of  the   shame   ye 


36  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

did  to  me  right  now  at  the  castle,  therefore  dress  thee, 
for  I  will  have  ado  with  thee.  Fair  knight,  said  he  to 
Palomides,  of  me  ye  win  no  worship,  for  ye  have  seen  this 
day  that  I  have  been  travailed  sore.  As  for  that,  said 
Palomides,  I  will  not  let,  for  wit  ye  well  I  will  be  revenged. 
Well,  said  the  knight,  I  may  happen  to  endure  you.  And 
therewithal  he  mounted  upon  his  horse,  and  took  a  great 
spear  in  his  hand  ready  for  to  joust.  Nay,  said  Palomides, 
I  will  not  joust,  for  I  am  sure  at  jousting  I  get  no  prize. 
Fair  knight,  said  that  knight,  it  would  beseem  a  knight  to 
joust  and  to  fight  on  horseback.  Ye  shall  see  what  I  will 
do,  said  Palomides.  And  therewith  he  alighted  down 
upon  foot,  and  dressed  his  shield  afore  him  and  pulled 
out  his  sword.  Then  the  Knight  with  the  Red  Shield 
descended  down  from  his  horse,  and  dressed  his  shield 
afore  him,  and  so  he  drew  out  his  sword.  And  then  they 
came  together  a  soft  pace,  and  wonderly  they  lashed 
together  passing  thick  the  mountenance  of  an  hour  or 
ever  they  breathed.  Then  they  traced  and  traversed,  and 
waxed  wonderly  wroth,  and  either  behight  other  death  ; 
they  hewed  so  fast  with  their  swords  that  they  cut  in  down 
half  their  swords  and  mails,  that  the  bare  flesh  in  some 
place  stood  above  their  harness.  And  when  Sir  Palomides 
beheld  his  fellow's  sword  over-hylled  with  his  blood  it 
grieved  him  sore  :  some  while  they  foined,  some  while 
they  struck  as  wild  men.  But  at  the  last  Sir  Palomides 
waxed  faint,  because  of  his  first  wound  that  he  had  at  the 
castle  with  a  spear,  for  that  wound  grieved  him  wonderly 
sore.  Fair  knight,  said  Palomides,  meseemeth  we  have 
assayed  either  other  passing  sore,  and  if  it  may  please 
thee,  I  require  thee  of  thy  knighthood  tell  me  thy  name. 
Sir,  said  the  knight  to  Palomides,  that  is  me  loath  to  do, 
for  thou  hast  done  me  wrong  and  no  knighthood  to  proffer 
me  battle,  considering  my  great  travail,  but  an  thou  wilt 
tell  me  thy  name  I  will  tell  thee  mine.  Sir,  said  he,  wit 
thou  well  my  name  is  Palomides.  Ah,  sir,  ye  shall  under- 
stand my  name  is  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis,  son  and  heir  unto 
the  good  knight  and  king,  King  Pellinore,  and  Sir  Tor, 
the  good  knight,  is  my  half  brother.  When  Sir  Palomides 


CHAP,  xx      OF  DINADAN  AND  LAMORAK  37 

heard  him  say  so  he  kneeled  down  and  asked  mercy,  For 
outrageously  have  I  done  to  you  this  day  ;  considering 
the  great  deeds  of  arms  I  have  seen  you  do,  shamefully 
and  unknightly  I  have  required  you  to  do  battle.  Ah,  Sir 
Palomides,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  overmuch  have  ye  done  and 
said  to  me.  And  therewith  he  embraced  him  with  his 
both  hands,  and  said  :  Palomides,  the  worthy  knight,  in 
all  this  land  is  no  better  than  ye,  nor  more  of  prowess, 
and  me  repenteth  sore  that  we  should  fight  together.  So 
it  doth  not  me,  said  Sir  Palomides,  and  yet  am  I  sorer 
wounded  than  ye  be  ;  but  as  for  that  I  shall  soon  thereof 
be  whole.  But  certainly  I  would  not  for  the  fairest  castle 
in  this  land,  but  if  thou  and  I  had  met,  for  I  shall  love 
you  the  days  of  my  life  afore  all  other  knights  except  my 
brother,  Sir  Safere.  I  say  the  same,  said  Sir  Lamorak, 
except  my  brother,  Sir  Tor.  Then  came  Sir  Dinadan, 
and  he  made  great  joy  of  Sir  Lamorak.  Then  their 
squires  dressed  both  their  shields  and  their  harness,  and 
stopped  their  wounds.  And  thereby  at  a  priory  they 
rested  them  all  night. 


CHAPTER  XX 

How  it  was  told  Sir  Launcelot  that  Dagonet  chased  King 
Mark,  and  how  a  knight  overthrew  him  and  six  knights. 

Now  turn  we  again.  When  Sir  Ganis  and  Sir  Brandiles 
with  his  fellows  came  to  the  court  of  King  Arthur  they 
told  the  king,  Sir  Launcelot,  and  Sir  Tristram,  how  Sir 
Dagonet,  the  fool,  chased  King  Mark  through  the  forest, 
and  how  the  strong  knight  smote  them  down  all  seven 
with  one  spear.  There  was  great  laughing  and  japing 
at  King  Mark  and  at  Sir  Dagonet.  But  all  these  knights 
could  not  tell  what  knight  it  was  that  rescued  King 
Mark.  Then  they  asked  King  Mark  if  that  he  knew 
him,  and  he  answered  and  said  :  He  named  himself  the 
Knight  that  followed  the  Questing  Beast,  and  on  that 


38  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

name  he  sent  one  of  my  varlets  to  a  place  where  was  his 
mother  ;  and  when  she  heard  from  whence  he  came  she 
made  passing  great  dole,  and  discovered  to  my  varlet 
his  name,  and  said  :  Oh,  my  dear  son,  Sir  Palomides, 
why  wilt  thou  not  see  me  ?  And  therefore,  sir,  said  King 
Mark,  it  is  to  understand  his  name  is  Sir  Palomides,  a 
noble  knight.  Then  were  all  these  seven  knights  glad 
that  they  knew  his  name. 

Now  turn  we  again,  for  on  the  morn  they  took  their 
horses,  both  Sir  Lamorak,  Palomides,  and  Dinadan,  with 
their  squires  and  varlets,  till  they  saw  a  fair  castle  that 
stood  on  a  mountain  well  closed,  and  thither  they  rode  ; 
and  there  they  found  a  knight  that  hight  Galahalt,  that 
was  lord  of  that  castle,  and  there  they  had  great  cheer 
and  were  well  eased.  Sir  Dinadan,  said  Sir  Lamorak, 
what  will  ye  do  ?  Oh  sir,  said  Dinadan,  I  will  to-morrow 
to  the  court  of  King  Arthur.  By  my  head,  said  Sir 
Palomides,  I  will  not  ride  these  three  days,  for  I  am  sore 
hurt,  and  much  have  I  bled,  and  therefore  I  will  repose 
me  here.  Truly,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  and  I  will  abide  here 
with  you  ;  and  when  ye  ride,  then  will  I  ride,  unless  that 
ye  tarry  over  long  ;  then  will  I  take  my  horse.  Therefore 
I  pray  you,  Sir  Dinadan,  abide  and  ride  with  us.  Faith- 
fully, said  Dinadan,  I  will  not  abide,  for  I  have  such  a 
talent  to  see  Sir  Tristram  that  I  may  not  abide  long 
from  him.  Ah,  Dinadan,  said  Sir  Palomides,  now  do  I 
understand  that  ye  love  my  mortal  enemy,  and  therefore 
how  should  I  trust  you.  Well,  said  Dinadan,  I  love  my 
lord  Sir  Tristram,  above  all  other,  and  him  will  I  serve 
and  do  honour.  So  shall  I,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  in  all  that 
may  lie  in  my  power. 

So  on  the  morn  Sir  Dinadan  rode  unto  the  court  of 
King  Arthur ;  and  by  the  way  as  he  rode  he  saw  where 
stood  an  errant  knight,  and  made  him  ready  for  to  joust. 
Not  so,  said  Dinadan,  for  I  have  no  will  to  joust.  With 
me  shall  ye  joust,  said  the  knight,  or  that  ye  pass  this 
way.  Whether  ask  ye  jousts,  by  love  or  by  hate  ?  The 
knight  answered  :  Wit  ye  well  I  ask  it  for  love,  and  not 
for  hate.  It  may  well  be  so,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  but  ye 


CHAP,  xx      OF  DINADAN  AND  LAMORAK  39 

proffer  me  hard  love  when  ye  will  joust  with  me  with  a 
sharp  spear.  But,  fair  knight,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  sith  ye 
will  joust  with  me,  meet  with  me  in  the  court  of  King 
Arthur,  and  there  shall  I  joust  with  you.  Well,  said 
the  knight,  sith  ye  will  not  joust  with  me,  I  pray  you 
tell  me  your  name.  Sir  knight,  said  he,  my  name  is  Sir 
Dinadan.  Ah,  said  the  knight,  full  well  know  I  you 
for  a  good  knight  and  a  gentle,  and  wit  you  well  I  love 
you  heartily.  Then  shall  there  be  no  jousts,  said 
Dinadan,  betwixt  us.  So  they  departed.  And  the  same 
day  he  came  to  Camelot,  where  lay  King  Arthur.  And 
there  he  saluted  the  king  and  the  queen,  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  Sir  Tristram  ;  and  all  the  court  was  glad  of  Sir 
Dinadan,  for  he  was  gentle,  wise,  and  courteous,  and  a 
good  knight.  And  in  especial,  the  valiant  knight  Sir 
Tristram  loved  Sir  Dinadan  passing  well  above  all  other 
knights  save  Sir  Launcelot. 

Then  the  king  asked  Sir  Dinadan  what  adventures 
he  had  seen.  Sir,  said  Dinadan,  I  have  seen  many 
adventures,  and  of  some  King  Mark  knoweth,  but  not 
all.  Then  the  king  hearkened  Sir  Dinadan,  how  he  told 
that  Sir  Palomides  and  he  were  afore  the  castle  of 
Morgan  le  Fay,  and  how  Sir  Lamorak  took  the  jousts 
afore  them,  and  how  he  for-j ousted  twelve  knights,  and 
of  them  four  he  slew,  and  how  after  he  smote  down  Sir 
Palomides  and  me  both.  I  may  not  believe  that,  said 
the  king,  for  Sir  Palomides  is  a  passing  good  knight. 
That  is  very  truth,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  but  yet  I  saw  him 
better  proved,  hand  for  hand.  And  then  he  told  the 
king  all  that  battle,  and  how  Sir  Palomides  was  more 
weaker,  and  more  hurt,  and  more  lost  of  his  blood.  And 
without  doubt,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  had  the  battle  longer 
lasted,  Palomides  had  been  slain.  O  Jesu,  said  King 
Arthur,  this  is  to  me  a  great  marvel.  Sir,  said  Tristram, 
marvel  ye  nothing  thereof,  for  at  mine  advice  there  is 
not  a  valianter  knight  in  the  world  living,  for  I  know 
his  might.  And  now  I  will  say  you,  I  was  never  so 
weary  of  knight  but  if  it  were  Sir  Launcelot.  And 
there  is  no  knight  in  the  world  except  Sir  Launcelot  that 


40  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

did  so  well  as  Sir  Lamorak.  So  God  me  help,  said  the 
king,  I  would  that  knight,  Sir  Lamorak,  came  to  this 
Court.  Sir,  said  Dinadan,  he  will  be  here  in  short  space, 
and  Sir  Palomides  both,  but  I  fear  that  Palomides  may 
not  yet  travel. 


CHAPTER   XXI 

How  King  Arthur  let  do  cry  a  jousts^  and  how  Sir 
Lamorak  came  in,  and  overthrew  Sir  Gawaine  and 
many  other. 

THEN  within  three  days  after  the  king  let  make  a  jousting 
at  a  priory.  And  there  made  them  ready  many  knights 
of  the  Round  Table,  for  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren 
made  them  ready  to  joust ;  but  Tristram,  Launcelot, 
nor  Dinadan,  would  not  joust,  but  suffered  Sir  Gawaine, 
for  the  love  of  King  Arthur,  with  his  brethren,  to  win 
the  gree  if  they  might.  Then  on  the  morn  they  apparelled 
them  to  joust,  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  four  brethren,  and 
did  there  great  deeds  of  arms.  And  Sir  Ector  de  Maris 
did  marvellously  well,  but  Sir  Gawaine  passed  all  that 
fellowship  ;  wherefore  King  Arthur  and  all  the  knights 
gave  Sir  Gawaine  the  honour  at  the  beginning. 

Right  so  King  Arthur  was  ware  of  a  knight  and  two 
squires,  the  which  came  out  of  a  forest  side,  with  a  shield 
covered  with  leather,  and  then  he  came  slyly  and  hurtled 
here  and  there,  and  anon  with  one  spear  he  had  smitten 
down  two  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  Then  with  his 
hurtling  he  lost  the  covering  of  his  shield,  then  was  the 
king  and  all  other  ware  that  he  bare  a  red  shield.  O  Jesu, 
said  King  Arthur,  see  where  rideth  a  stout  knight,  he 
with  the  red  shield.  And  there  was  noise  and  crying  : 
Beware  the  Knight  with  the  Red  Shield.  So  within  a  little 
while  he  had  overthrown  three  brethren  of  Sir  Gawaine  s. 
So  God  me  help,  said  King  Arthur,  meseemeth  yonder  is 
the  best  j ouster  that  ever  I  saw.  With  that  he  saw  him 
encounter  with  Sir  Gawaine,  and  he  smote  him  down  with 


CHAP,  xxi      OF  LAMORAK  AND  GAWAINE  41 

so  great  force  that  he  made  his  horse  to  avoid  his 
saddle.  How  now,  said  the  king,  Sir  Gawaine  hath  a 
fall ;  well  were  me  an  I  knew  what  knight  he  were  with 
the  red  shield.  I  know  him  well,  said  Dinadan,  but  as 
at  this  time  ye  shall  not  know  his  name.  By  my  head, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  he  jousted  better  than  Sir  Palomides, 
and  if  ye  list  to  know  his  name,  wit  ye  well  his  name  is 
Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis. 

As  they  stood  thus  talking,  Sir  Gawaine  and  he  en- 
countered together  again,  and  there  he  smote  Sir  Gawaine 
from  his  horse,  and  bruised  him  sore.  And  in  the  sight 
of  King  Arthur  he  smote  down  twenty  knights,  beside  Sir 
Gawaine  and  his  brethren.  And  so  clearly  was  the  prize 
given  him  as  a  knight  peerless.  Then  slyly  and  marvel- 
lously Sir  Lamorak  withdrew  him  from  all  the  fellowship 
into  the  forest  side.  All  this  espied  King  Arthur,  for  his 
eye  went  never  from  him.  Then  the  king,  Sir  Launcelot, 
Sir  Tristram,  and  Sir  Dinadan,  took  their  hackneys,  and 
rode  straight  after  the  good  knight,  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis, 
and  there  found  him.  And  thus  said  the  king  :  Ah,  fair 
knight,  well  be  ye  found.  When  he  saw  the  king  he  put 
off  his  helm  and  saluted  him,  and  when  he  saw  Sir  Tristram 
he  alighted  down  off  his  horse  and  ran  to  him  to  take  him 
by  the  thighs,  but  Sir  Tristram  would  not  suffer  him,  but 
he  alighted  or  that  he  came,  and  either  took  other  in  arms, 
and  made  great  joy  of  other.  The  king  was  glad,  and 
also  was  all  the  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table,  except  Sir 
Gawaine  and  his  brethren.  And  when  they  wist  that  he 
was  Sir  Lamorak,  they  had  great  despite  at  him,  and  were 
wonderly  wroth  with  him  that  he  had  put  him  to  dis- 
honour that  day. 

Then  Gawaine  called  privily  in  council  all  his  brethren, 
and  to  them  said  thus  :  Fair  brethren,  here  may  ye  see, 
whom  that  we  hate  King  Arthur  loveth,  and  whom  that 
we  love  he  hateth.  And  wit  ye  well,  my  fair  brethren, 
that  this  Sir  Lamorak  will  never  love  us,  because  we  slew 
his  father,  King  Pellinore,  for  we  deemed  that  he  slew  our 
father,  King  of  Orkney.  And  for  the  despite  of  Pellinore, 
Sir  Lamorak  did  us  a  shame  to  our  mother,  therefore  I  will 


4*  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

be  revenged.  Sir,  said  Sir  Gawaine's  brethren,  let  see  how 
ye  will  or  may  be  revenged,  and  ye  shall  find  us  ready. 
Well,  said  Gawaine,  hold  you  still  and  we  shall  espy  our 
time. 


CHAPTER   XXII 

How  King  Arthur  made  King  Mark  to  be  accorded  with 
Sir  Tristram,  and  how  they  departed  toward  Cornwall. 

Now  pass  we  our  matter,  and  leave  we  Sir  Gawaine,  and 
speak  of  King  Arthur,  that  on  a  day  said  unto  King  Mark  : 
Sir,  I  pray  you  give  me  a  gift  that  I  shall  ask  you.  Sir,  said 
King  Mark,  I  will  give  you  whatsomever  ye  desire  an  it  be 
in  my  power.  Sir,  gramercy,  said  Arthur.  This  I  will  ask 
you,  that  ye  will  be  good  lord  unto  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  is  a 
man  of  great  honour  ;  and  that  ye  will  take  him  with  you 
into  Cornwall,  and  let  him  see  his  friends,  and  there  cherish 
him  for  my  sake.  Sir,  said  King  Mark,  I  promise  you  by 
the  faith  of  my  body,  and  by  the  faith  that  I  owe  to  God 
and  to  you,  I  shall  worship  him  for  your  sake  in  all  that  I 
can  or  may.  Sir,  said  Arthur,  and  I  will  forgive  you  all 
the  evil  will  that  ever  I  ought  you,  an  so  be  that  you  swear 
that  upon  a  book  before  me.  With  a  good  will,  said  King 
Mark  ;  and  so  he  there  sware  upon  a  book  afore  him  and 
all  his  knights,  and  therewith  King  Mark  and  Sir  Tristram 
took  either  other  by  the  hands  hard  knit  together.  But 
for  all  this  King  Mark  thought  falsely,  as  it  proved  after, 
for  he  put  Sir  Tristram  in  prison,  and  cowardly  would 
have  slain  him. 

Then  soon  after  King  Mark  took  his  leave  to  ride  into 
Cornwall,  and  Sir  Tristram  made  him  ready  to  ride  with 
him,  whereof  the  most  part  of  the  Round  Table  were 
wroth  and  heavy,  and  in  especial  Sir  Launcelot,  and  Sir 
Lamorak,  and  Sir  Dinadan,  were  wroth  out  of  measure. 
For  well  they  wist  King  Mark  would  slay  or  destroy  Sir 
Tristram.  Alas,  said  Dinadan,  that  my  lord,  Sir  Tristram, 
shall  depart.  And  Sir  Tristram  took  such  sorrow  that  he 


CH.  xxiii    HOW  PERCIVALE  WAS  MADE  KNIGHT    43 

was  amazed  like  a  fool.  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot  unto 
King  Arthur,  what  have  ye  done,  for  ye  shall  lose  the  most 
man  of  worship  that  ever  came  into  your  court.  It  was 
his  own  desire,  said  Arthur,  and  therefore  I  might  not  do 
withal,  for  I  have  done  all  that  I  can  and  made  them  at 
accord.  Accord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  fie  upon  that  accord, 
for  ye  shall  hear  that  he  shall  slay  Sir  Tristram,  or  put  him 
in  a  prison,  for  he  is  the  most  coward  and  the  villainest 
king  and  knight  that  is  now  living. 

And  therewith  Sir  Launcelot  departed,  and  came  to 
King  Mark,  and  said  to  him  thus  :  Sir  king,  wit  thou  well 
the  good  knight  Sir  Tristram  shall  go  with  thee.  Beware, 
I  rede  thee,  of  treason,  for  an  thou  mischief  that  knight 
by  any  manner  of  falsehood  or  treason,  by  the  faith  I  owe 
to  God  and  to  the  order  of  knighthood,  I  shall  slay  thee 
with  mine  own  hands.  Sir  Launcelot,  said  the  king,  over- 
much have  ye  said  to  me,  and  I  have  sworn  and  said  over 
largely  afore  King  Arthur  in  hearing  of  all  his  knights, 
that  I  shall  not  slay  nor  betray  him.  It  were  to  me  over- 
much shame  to  break  my  promise.  Ye  say  well,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  but  ye  are  called  so  false  and  full  of  treason 
that  no  man  may  believe  you.  Forsooth  it  is  known  well 
wherefore  ye  came  into  this  country,  and  for  none  other 
cause  but  for  to  slay  Sir  Tristram.  So  with  great  dole 
King  Mark  and  Sir  Tristram  rode  together,  for  it  was  by 
Sir  Tristram's  will  and  his  means  to  go  with  King  Mark, 
and  all  was  for  the  intent  to  see  La  Beale  Isoud,  for  with- 
out the  sight  of  her  Sir  Tristram  might  not  endure. 


CHAPTER   XXIII 

How  Sir  Percivale  was  made  knight  of  King  Arthur,  and 
how  a  dumb  maid  spake,  and  brought  him  to  the 
Round  Table. 

Now  turn  we  again  unto  Sir  Lamorak,  and  speak  we  of 
his  brethren,  Sir  Tor,  which  was  King  Pellinore's  first  son 


44  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

and  begotten  of  Aryes,  wife  of  the  cowherd,  for  he  was  a 
bastard ;  and  Sir  Aglovale  was  his  first  son  begotten  in 
wedlock  ;  Sir  Lamorak,  Dornar,  Pcrcivale,  these  were  his 
sons  too  in  wedlock.  So  when  King  Mark  and  Sir  Tris- 
tram were  departed  from  the  court  there  was  made  great 
dole  and  sorrow  for  the  departing  of  Sir  Tristram.  Then 
the  king  and  his  knights  made  no  manner  of  joys  eight  days 
after.  And  at  the  eight  days'  end  there  came  to  the  court 
a  knight  with  a  young  squire  with  him.  And  when  this 
knight  was  unarmed,  he  went  to  the  king  and  required  him 
to  make  the  young  squire  a  knight.  Of  what  lineage  is  he 
come  ?  said  King  Arthur.  Sir,  said  the  knight,  he  is  the 
son  of  King  Pellinore,  that  did  you  some  time  good  service, 
and  he  is  a  brother  unto  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis,  the  good 
knight.  Well,  said  the  king,  for  what  cause  desire  ye  that 
of  me  that  I  should  make  him  knight  ?  Wit  you  well,  my 
lord  the  king,  that  this  young  squire  is  brother  to  me  as 
well  as  to  Sir  Lamorak,  and  my  name  is  Aglavale.  Sir 
Aglavale,  said  Arthur,  for  the  love  of  Sir  Lamorak,  and 
for  his  father's  love,  he  shall  be  made  knight  to-morrow. 
Now  tell  me,  said  Arthur,  what  is  his  name?  Sir,  said 
the  knight,  his  name  is  Percivale  de  Galis.  So  on  the 
morn  the  king  made  him  knight  in  Camelot.  But  the 
king  and  all  the  knights  thought  it  would  be  long  or  that 
he  proved  a  good  knight. 

Then  at  the  dinner,  when  the  king  was  set  at  the  table, 
and  every  knight  after  he  was  of  prowess,  the  king  com- 
manded him  to  be  set  among  mean  knights  ;  and  so  was 
Sir  Percivale  set  as  the  king  commanded.  Then  was 
there  a  maiden  in  the  queen's  court  that  was  come  of  high 
blood,  and  she  was  dumb  and  never  spake  word.  Right 
so  she  came  straight  into  the  hall,  and  went  unto  Sir 
Percivale,  and  took  him  by  the  hand  and  said  aloud,  that 
the  king  and  all  the  knights  might  hear  it :  Arise,  Sir 
Percivale,  the  noble  knight  and  God's  knight,  and  go  with 
me ;  and  so  he  did.  And  there  she  brought  him  to  the 
right  side  of  the  Siege  Perilous,  and  said,  Fair  knight,  take 
here  thy  siege,  for  that  siege  appertained!  to  thee  and  to 
none  other.  Right  so  she  departed  and  asked  a  priest. 


CH.  xxiv  HOW  LAMORAK  VISITED  LOT'S  WIFE     45 

And  as  she  was  confessed  and  houselled  then  she  died. 
Then  the  king  and  all  the  court  made  great  joy  of  Sir 
Percivale. 


CHAPTER   XXIV 

How  Sir  Lamorak  visited  King  Lofs  wife,  and  how  Sir 
Gaheris  slew  her  which  was  his  own  mother. 

Now  turn  we  unto  Sir  Lamorak,  that  much  was  there  praised. 
Then,  by  the  mean  of  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren,  they 
sent  for  their  mother  there  besides,  fast  by  a  castle  beside 
Camelot ;  and  all  was  to  that  intent  to  slay  Sir  L,amorak. 
The  Queen  of  Orkney  was  there  but  a  while,  but  Sir 
Lamorak  wist  of  their  being,  and  was  full  fain ;  and  for  to 
make  an  end  of  this  matter,  he  sent  unto  her,  and  there 
betwixt  them  was  a  night  assigned  that  Sir  Lamorak  should 
come  to  her.  Thereof  was  ware  Sir  Gaheris,  and  there  he 
rode  afore  the  same  night,  and  waited  upon  Sir  Lamorak, 
and  then  he  saw  where  he  came  all  armed.  And  where 
Sir  Lamorak  alighted  he  tied  his  horse  to  a  privy  postern, 
and  so  he  went  into  a  parlour  and  unarmed  him;  and 
then  he  went  unto  the  queen's  bed,  and  she  made  of  him 
passing  great  joy,  and  he  of  her  again,  for  either  loved 
other  passing  sore.  So  when  the  knight,  Sir  Gaheris,  saw 
his  time,  he  came  to  their  bedside  all  armed,  with  his  sword 
naked,  and  suddenly  gat  his  mother  by  the  hair  and  struck 
off  her  head. 

When  Sir  Lamorak  saw  the  blood  dash  upon  him  all 
hot,  the  which  he  loved  passing  well,  wit  you  well  he  was 
sore  abashed  and  dismayed  of  that  dolorous  knight.  And 
therewithal,  Sir  Lamorak  leapt  out  of  the  bed  in  his  shirt 
as  a  knight  dismayed,  saying  thus  :  Ah,  Sir  Gaheris,  knight 
of  the  Table  Round,  foul  and  evil  have  ye  done,  and  to  you 
great  shame.  Alas,  why  have  ye  slain  your  mother  that 
bare  you  ?  with  more  right  ye  should  have  slain  me.  The 
offence  hast  thou  done,  said  Gaheris,  notwithstanding  a 
man  is  born  to  offer  his  service ;  but  yet  shouldst  thou 


46  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

beware  with  whom  thou  meddlest,  for  thou  hast  put  me 
and  my  brethren  to  a  shame,  and  thy  father  slew  our 
father;  and  thou  to  lie  by  our  mother  is  too  much  shame 
for  us  to  suffer.  And  as  for  thy  father,  King  Pellinore, 
my  brother  Sir  Gawaine  and  I  slew  him.  Ye  did  him 
the  more  wrong,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  for  my  father  slew 
not  your  father,  it  was  Balin  le  Savage :  and  as  yet  my 
father's  death  is  not  revenged.  Leave  those  words,  said  Sir 
Gaheris,  for  an  thou  speak  feloniously  I  will  slay  thee.  But 
because  thou  art  naked  I  am  ashamed  to  slay  thee.  But 
wit  thou  well,  in  what  place  I  may  get  thee  I  shall  slay 
thee ;  and  now  my  mother  is  quit  of  thee ;  and  withdraw 
thee  and  take  thine  armour,  that  thou  were  gone.  Sir 
Lamorak  saw  there  was  none  other  bote,  but  fast  armed 
him,  and  took  his  horse  and  rode  his  way  making  great 
sorrow.  But  for  the  shame  and  dolour  he  would  not  ride 
to  King  Arthur's  court,  but  rode  another  way. 

But  when  it  was  known  that  Gaheris  had  slain  his 
mother  the  king  was  passing  wroth,  and  commanded  him 
to  go  out  of  his  court.  Wit  ye  well  Sir  Gawaine  was 
wroth  that  Gaheris  had  slain  his  mother  and  let  Sir  Lamorak 
escape.  And  for  this  matter  was  the  king  passing  wroth, 
and  so  was  Sir  Launcelot,  and  many  other  knights.  Sir,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  here  is  a  great  mischief  befallen  by  felony, 
and  by  forecast  treason,  that  your  sister  is  thus  shame- 
fully slain.  And  I  dare  say  that  it  was  wrought  by  treason; 
and  I  dare  say  ye  shall  lose  that  good  knight,  Sir  Lamorak, 
the  which  is  great  pity.  I  wot  well  and  am  sure,  an  Sir 
Tristram  wist  it,  he  would  never  more  come  within  your 
court,  the  which  should  grieve  you  much  more  and  all  your 
knights.  God  defend,  said  the  noble  King  Arthur,  that  I 
should  lose  Sir  Lamorak  or  Sir  Tristram,  for  then  twain 
of  my  chief  knights  of  the  Table  Round  were  gone.  Sir, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  am  sure  ye  shall  lose  Sir  Lamorak,  for 
Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren  will  slay  him  by  one  mean  or 
other ;  for  they  among  them  have  concluded  and  sworn  to 
slay  him  an  ever  they  may  see  their  time.  That  shall  I 
let,  said  Arthur. 


CH.  xxv      OF  AGRAVAINE  AND  MORDRED  47 


CHAPTER  XXV 

How  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred  met  with  a  knight 
fleeing^  and  how  they  both  were  overthrown,  and  of  Sir 
Dinadan. 

Now  leave  we  of  Sir  Lamorak,  and  speak  of  Sir  Gawaine's 
brethren,  and  specially  of  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred. 
As  they  rode  on  their  adventures  they  met  with  a  knight 
fleeing,  sore  wounded ;  and  they  asked  him  what  tidings. 
Fair  knights,  said  he,  here  cometh  a  knight  after  me  that 
will  slay  me.  With  that  came  Sir  Dinadan  riding  to  them 
by  adventure,  but  he  would  promise  them  no  help.  But 
Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred  promised  him  to  rescue 
him.  Therewithal  came  that  knight  straight  unto  them, 
and  anon  he  proffered  to  joust.  That  saw  Sir  Mordred 
and  rode  to  him,  but  he  struck  Mordred  over  his  horse's 
tail.  That  saw  Sir  Agravaine,  and  straight  he  rode  toward 
that  knight,  and  right  so  as  he  served  Mordred  so  he 
served  Agravaine,  and  said  to  them  :  Sirs,  wit  ye  well  both 
that  I  am  Breuse  Saunce  Pite,  that  hath  done  this  to  you. 
And  yet  he  rode  over  Agravaine  five  or  six  times.  When 
Dinadan  saw  this,  he  must  needs  joust  with  him  for  shame. 
And  so  Dinadan  and  he  encountered  together,  that  with 
pure  strength  Sir  Dinadan  smote  him  over  his  horse's  tail. 
Then  he  took  his  horse  and  fled,  for  he  was  on  foot  one 
of  the  valiantest  knights  in  Arthur's  days,  and  a  great 
destroyer  of  all  good  knights. 

Then  rode  Sir  Dinadan  unto  Sir  Mordred  and  unto  Sir 
Agravaine.  Sir  knight,  said  they  all,  well  have  ye  done, 
and  well  have  ye  revenged  us,  wherefore  we  pray  you  tell 
us  your  name.  Fair  sirs,  ye  ought  to  know  my  name,  the 
which  is  called  Sir  Dinadan.  When  they  understood  that  it 
was  Dinadan  they  were  more  wroth  than  they  were  before, 
for  they  hated  him  out  of  measure  because  of  Sir  Lamorak. 
For  Dinadan  had  such  a  custom  that  he  loved  all  good 
knights  that  were  valiant,  and  he  hated  all  those  that  were 
destroyers  of  good  knights.  And  there  were  none  that 


48  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

hated  Dinadan  but  those  that  ever  were  called  murderers. 
Then  spake  the  hurt  knight  that  Breuse  Saunce  Pite  had 
chased,  his  name  was  Dalan,  and  said  :  If  thou  be  Dinadan 
thou  slewest  my  father.  It  may  well  be  so,  said  Dinadan, 
but  then  it  was  in  my  defence  and  at  his  request.  By  my 
head,  said  Dalan,  thou  shalt  die  therefore,  and  therewith 
he  dressed  his  spear  and  his  shield.  And  to  make  the 
shorter  tale,  Sir  Dinadan  smote  him  down  off  his  horse, 
that  his  neck  was  nigh  broken.  And  in  the  same  wise  he 
smote  Sir  Mordred  and  Sir  Agravaine.  And  after,  in  the 
quest  of  the  Sangreal,  cowardly  and  feloniously  they  slew 
Dinadan,  the  which  was  great  damage,  for  he  was  a  great 
bourder  and  a  passing  good  knight. 

And  so  Sir  Dinadan  rode  to  a  castle  that  hight  Beale- 
Valet.  And  there  he  found  Sir  Palomides  that  was  not 
yet  whole  of  the  wound  that  Sir  Lamorak  gave  him.  And 
there  Dinadan  told  Palomides  all  the  tidings  that  he  heard 
and  saw  of  Sir  Tristram,  and  how  he  was  gone  with  King 
Mark,  and  with  him  he  hath  all  his  will  and  desire. 
Therewith  Sir  Palomides  waxed  wroth,  for  he  loved  La 
Beale  Isoud.  And  then  he  wist  well  that  Sir  Tristram 
enjoyed  her. 


CHAPTER   XXVI 

How  King  Arthur,  the  Queen,  and  Launcelot  received  letters 
out  of  Cornwall,  and  of  the  answer  again. 

Now  leave  we  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Dinadan  in  the  Castle 
of  Beale -Valet,  and  turn  we  again  unto  King  Arthur. 
There  came  a  knight  out  of  Cornwall,  his  name  was  Fergus, 
a  fellow  of  the  Round  Table.  And  there  he  told  the  king 
and  Sir  Launcelot  good  tidings  of  Sir  Tristram,  and  there 
were  brought  goodly  letters,  and  how  he  left  him  in  the 
castle  of  Tintagil.  Then  came  the  damosel  that  brought 
goodly  letters  unto  King  Arthur  and  unto  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  there  she  had  passing  good  cheer  of  the  king,  and  of 
the  Queen  Guenever,  and  of  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  they 


CH.  xxvi    OF  LETTERS  FROM  KING  MARK  49 

wrote  goodly  letters  again.  But  Sir  Launcelot  bade  ever 
Sir  Tristram  beware  of  King  Mark,  for  ever  he  called  him 
in  his  letters  King  Fox,  as  who  saith,  he  fareth  all  with 
wiles  and  treason.  Whereof  Sir  Tristram  in  his  heart 
thanked  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  the  damosel  went  unto  La 
Beale  Isoud,  and  bare  her  letters  from  the  king  and  from 
Sir  Launcelot,  whereof  she  was  in  passing  great  joy.  Fair 
damosel,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  how  fareth  my  Lord  Arthur, 
and  the  Queen  Guenever,  and  the  noble  knight,  Sir 
Launcelot  ?  She  answered,  and  to  make  short  tale :  Much 
the  better  that  ye  and  Sir  Tristram  be  in  joy.  God  reward 
them,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  for  Sir  Tristram  suffereth  great 
pain  for  me,  and  I  for  him. 

So  the  damosel  departed,  and  brought  letters  to  King 
Mark.  And  when  he  had  read  them,  and  understood 
them,  he  was  wroth  with  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  deemed  that 
he  had  sent  the  damosel  unto  King  Arthur.  For  Arthur 
and  Launcelot  in  a  manner  threated  King  Mark.  And 
as  King  Mark  read  these  letters  he  deemed  treason  by  Sir 
Tristram.  Damosel,  said  King  Mark,  will  ye  ride  again 
and  bear  letters  from  me  unto  King  Arthur?  Sir,  she 
said,  I  will  be  at  your  commandment  to  ride  when  ye  will. 
Ye  say  well,  said  the  king ;  come  again,  said  the  king,  to- 
morn,  and  fetch  your  letters.  Then  she  departed  and  told 
them  how  she  should  ride  again  with  letters  unto  Arthur. 
Then  we  pray  you,  said  La  Beale  Isoud  and  Sir  Tristram, 
that  when  ye  have  received  your  letters,  that  ye  would 
come  by  us  that  we  may  see  the  privity  of  your  letters. 
All  that  I  may  do,  madam,  ye  wot  well  I  must  do  for  Sir 
Tristram,  for  I  have  been  long  his  own  maiden. 

So  on  the  morn  the  damosel  went  to  King  Mark  to 
have  had  his  letters  and  to  depart.  I  am  not  avised,  said 
King  Mark,  as  at  this  time  to  send  my  letters.  Then 
privily  and  secretly  he  sent  letters  unto  King  Arthur,  and 
unto  Queen  Guenever,  and  unto  Sir  Launcelot.  So  the 
varlet  departed,  and  found  the  king  and  the  queen  in 
Wales,  at  Carlion.  And  as  the  king  and  the  queen  were 
at  mass  the  varlet  came  with  the  letters.  And  when  mass 
was  done  the  king  and  the  queen  opened  the  letters  privily 
VOL.  n  E 


50  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

by  themself.  And  the  beginning  of  the  king's  letters 
spake  wonderly  short  unto  King  Arthur,  and  bade  him 
entermete  with  himself  and  with  his  wife,  and  of  his 
knights ;  for  he  was  able  enough  to  rule  and  keep  his 
wife. 


CHAPTER   XXVII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  wroth  with  the  letter  that  he  received 
from  King  Mark,  and  of  Dinadan  which  made  a  lay 
of  King  Mark. 

WHEN  King  Arthur  understood  the  letter,  he  mused  of 
many  things,  and  thought  on  his  sister's  words,  Queen 
Morgan  le  Fay,  that  she  had  said  betwixt  Queen  Guenever 
and  Sir  Launcelot.  And  in  this  thought  he  studied  a 
great  while.  Then  he  bethought  him  again  how  his  sister 
was  his  own  enemy,  and  that  she  hated  the  queen  and  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  so  he  put  all  that  out  of  his  thought. 
Then  King  Arthur  read  the  letter  again,  and  the  latter 
clause  said  that  King  Mark  took  Sir  Tristram  for  his 
mortal  enemy  ;  wherefore  he  put  Arthur  out  of  doubt  he 
would  be  revenged  of  Sir  Tristram.  Then  was  King 
Arthur  wroth  with  King  Mark.  And  when  Queen 
Guenever  read  her  letter  and  understood  it,  she  was  wroth 
out  of  measure,  for  the  letter  spake  shame  by  her  and  by 
Sir  Launcelot.  And  so  privily  she  sent  the  letter  unto  Sir 
Launcelot.  And  when  he  wist  the  intent  of  the  letter  he 
was  so  wroth  that  he  laid  him  down  on  his  bed  to  sleep, 
whereof  Sir  Dinadan  was  ware,  for  it  was  his  manner  to  be 
privy  with  all  good  knights.  And  as  Sir  Launcelot  slept  he 
stole  the  letter  out  of  his  hand,  and  read  it  word  by  word. 
And  then  he  made  great  sorrow  for  anger.  And  so  Sir 
Launcelot  awaked,  and  went  to  a  window,  and  read  the 
letter  again,  the  which  made  him  angry. 

Sir,  said  Dinadan,  wherefore  be  ye  angry  ?  discover 
your  heart  to  me  :  forsooth  ye  wot  well  I  owe  you  good 
will,  howbeit  I  am  a  poor  knight  and  a  servitor  unto  you 


CH.  xxvm   OF  KING  MARK  AND  THE  SESSOINS     51 

and  to  all  good  knights.  For  though  I  be  not  of  worship 
myself  I  love  all  those  that  be  of  worship.  It  is  truth,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  ye  are  a  trusty  knight,  and  for  great  trust  I 
will  shew  you  my  counsel.  And  when  Dinadan  understood 
all,  he  said  :  This  is  my  counsel :  set  you  right  nought  by 
these  threats,  for  King  Mark  is  so  villainous,  that  by  fair 
speech  shall  never  man  get  of  him.  But  ye  shall  see  what 
I  shall  do  ;  I  will  make  a  lay  for  him,  and  when  it  is  made 
I  shall  make  an  harper  to  sing  it  afore  him.  So  anon  he 
went  and  made  it,  and  taught  it  an  harper  that  hight  Eliot. 
And  when  he  could  it,  he  taught  it  to  many  harpers.  And 
so  by  the  will  of  Sir  Launcelot,  and  of  Arthur,  the  harpers 
went  straight  into  Wales,  and  into  Cornwall,  to  sing  the 
lay  that  Sir  Dinadan  made  by  King  Mark,  the  which  was 
the  worst  lay  that  ever  harper  sang  with  harp  or  with  any 
other  instruments. 


CHAPTER   XXVIII 

How  Sir  Tristram  was  hurt^  and  of  a  war  made  to  King 
Mark  ;  and  of  Sir  Tristram  how  he  promised  to  rescue 
him. 

Now  turn  we  again  unto  Sir  Tristram  and  to  King  Mark. 
As  Sir  Tristram  was  at  jousts  and  at  tournament  it  fortuned 
he  was  sore  hurt  both  with  a  spear  and  with  a  sword,  but 
yet  he  won  always  the  degree.  And  for  to  repose  him  he 
went  to  a  good  knight  that  dwelled  in  Cornwall,  in  a  castle, 
whose  name  was  Sir  Dinas  le  Seneschal.  Then  by  misfor- 
tune there  came  out  of  Sessoin  a  great  number  of  men  of 
arms,  and  an  hideous  host,  and  they  entered  nigh  the  Castle 
of  Tintagil ;  and  their  captain's  name  was  Elias,  a  good 
man  of  arms.  When  King  Mark  understood  his  enemies 
were  entered  into  his  land  he  made  great  dole  and  sorrow, 
for  in  no  wise  by  his  will  King  Mark  would  not  send  for 
Sir  Tristram,  for  he  hated  him  deadly. 

So  when  his  council  was  come  they  devised  and  cast 


52  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

many  perils  of  the  strength  of  their  enemies.  And  then  they 
concluded  all  at  once,  and  said  thus  unto  King  Mark  :  Sir, 
wit  ye  well  ye  must  send  for  Sir  Tristram,  the  good  knight, 
or  else  they  will  never  be  overcome.  For  by  Sir  Tristram 
they  must  be  foughten  withal,  or  else  we  row  against  the 
stream.  Well,  said  King  Mark,  I  will  do  by  your  counsel ; 
but  yet  he  was  full  loath  thereto,  but  need  constrained  him 
to  send  for  him.  Then  was  he  sent  for  in  all  haste  that 
might  be,  that  he  should  come  to  King  Mark.  And  when 
he  understood  that  King  Mark  had  sent  for  him,  he 
mounted  upon  a  soft  ambler  and  rode  to  King  Mark. 
And  when  he  was  come  the  king  said  thus  :  Fair  nephew, 
Sir  Tristram,  this  is  all.  Here  be  come  our  enemies  of 
Sessoin,  that  are  here  nigh  hand,  and  without  tarrying  they 
must  be  met  with  shortly,  or  else  they  will  destroy  this 
country.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  wit  ye  well  all  my  power 
is  at  your  commandment.  And  wit  ye  well,  sir,  these 
eight  days  I  may  bear  none  arms,  for  my  wounds  be  not 
yet  whole.  And  by  that  day  I  shall  do  what  I  may.  Ye 
say  well,  said  King  Mark  ;  then  go  ye  again  and  repose 
you  and  make  you  fresh,  and  I  shall  go  and  meet  the 
Sessoins  with  all  my  power. 

So  the  king  departed  unto  Tintagil,  and  Sir  Tristram 
went  to  repose  him.  And  the  king  made  a  great  host, 
and  departed  them  in  three  ;  the  first  part  led  Sir  Dinas 
the  Seneschal,  and  Sir  Andred  led  the  second  part,  and  Sir 
Argius  led  the  third  part ;  and  he  was  of  the  blood  of 
King  Mark.  And  the  Sessoins  had  three  great  battles, 
and  many  good  men  of  arms.  And  so  King  Mark  by  the 
advice  of  his  knights  issued  out  of  the  Castle  of  Tintagil 
upon  his  enemies.  And  Dinas,  the  good  knight,  rode  out 
afore,  and  slew  two  knights  with  his  own  hands,  and  then 
began  the  battles.  And  there  was  marvellous  breaking  of 
spears  and  smiting  of  swords,  and  slew  down  many  good 
knights.  And  ever  was  Sir  Dinas  the  Seneschal  the  best 
of  King  Mark's  party.  And  thus  the  battle  endured  long 
with  great  mortality.  But  at  the  last  King  Mark  and  Sir 
Dinas,  were  they  never  so  loath,  they  withdrew  them  to 
the  Castle  of  Tintagil  with  great  slaughter  of  people  ;  and 


CHAP,  xxix   OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  ELIAS  53 

the  Sessoins  followed  on  fast,  that  ten  of  them  were  put 
within  the  gates  and  four  slain  with  the  portcullis. 

Then  King  Mark  sent  for  Sir  Tristram  by  a  varlet, 
that  told  him  all  the  mortality.  Then  he  sent  the  varlet 
again,  and  bade  him  :  Tell  King  Mark  that  I  will  come  as 
soon  as  I  am  whole,  for  erst  I  may  do  him  no  good.  Then 
King  Mark  had  his  answer.  Therewith  came  Elias  and 
bade  the  king  yield  up  the  castle  :  For  ye  may  not  hold 
it  no  while.  Sir  Elias,  said  the  king,  so  will  I  yield  up  the 
castle  if  I  be  not  soon  rescued.  Anon  King  Mark  sent 
again  for  rescue  to  Sir  Tristram.  By  then  Sir  Tristram 
was  whole,  and  he  had  gotten  him  ten  good  knights  of 
Arthur's  ;  and  with  them  he  rode  unto  Tintagil.  And 
when  he  saw  the  great  host  of  Sessoins  he  marvelled  wonder 
greatly.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  rode  by  the  woods  and 
by  the  ditches  as  secretly  as  he  might,  till  he  came  nigh 
the  gates.  And  there  dressed  a  knight  to  him  when  he 
saw  that  Sir  Tristram  would  enter  ;  and  Sir  Tristram 
smote  him  down  dead,  and  so  he  served  three  more.  And 
everych  of  these  ten  knights  slew  a  man  of  arms.  So 
Sir  Tristram  entered  into  the  Castle  of  Tintagil.  And 
when  King  Mark  wist  that  Sir  Tristram  was  come  he  was 
glad  of  his  coming,  and  so  was  all  the  fellowship,  and  of 
him  they  made  great  joy. 


CHAPTER   XXIX 

How  Sir  Tristram  overcame  the  battle,  and  how  Ellas 
desired  a  man  to  fight  body  for  body. 

So  on  the  morn  Elias  the  captain  came,  and  bade  King 
Mark  :  Come  out  and  do  battle  ;  for  now  the  good  knight 
Sir  Tristram  is  entered  it  will  be  shame  to  thee,  said  Elias, 
for  to  keep  thy  walls.  When  King  Mark  understood  this 
he  was  wroth  and  said  no  word,  but  went  unto  Sir  Tristram 
and  asked  him  his  counsel.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  will  ye 
that  I  give  him  his  answer  ?  I  will  well,  said  King  Mark. 


54  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

Then  Sir  Tristram  said  thus  to  the  messenger  :  Bear  thy 
lord  word  from  the  king  and  me,  that  we  will  do  battle  with 
him  to-morn  in  the  plain  field.  What  is  your  name  ?  said 
the  messenger.  Wit  thou  well  my  name  is  Sir  Tristram 
de  Liones.  Therewithal  the  messenger  departed  and  told 
his  lord  Elias  all  that  he  had  heard.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram 
unto  King  Mark,  I  pray  you  give  me  leave  to  have  the 
rule  of  the  battle.  I  pray  you  take  the  rule,  said  King 
Mark.  Then  Sir  Tristram  let  devise  the  battle  in  what 
manner  that  it  should  be.  He  let  depart  his  host  in  six 
parties,  and  ordained  Sir  Dinas  the  Seneschal  to  have  the 
foreward,  and  other  knights  to  rule  the  remnant.  And 
the  same  night  Sir  Tristram  burnt  all  the  Sessoins'  ships 
unto  the  cold  water.  Anon,  as  Elias  wist  that,  he  said  it 
was  of  Sir  Tristram's  doing:  For  he  casteth  that  we  shall 
never  escape,  mother  son  of  us.  Therefore,  fair  fellows, 
fight  freely  to-morrow,  and  miscomfort  you  nought ;  for 
any  knight,  though  he  be  the  best  knight  in  the  world,  he 
may  not  have  ado  with  us  all. 

Then  they  ordained  their  battle  in  four  parties, 
wonderly  well  apparelled  and  garnished  with  men  of  arms. 
Thus  they  within  issued,  and  they  without  set  freely  upon 
them  ;  and  there  Sir  Dinas  did  great  deeds  of  arms.  Not 
for  then  Sir  Dinas  and  his  fellowship  were  put  to  the  worse. 
With  that  came  Sir  Tristram  and  slew  two  knights  with 
one  spear  ;  then  he  slew  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left 
hand,  that  men  marvelled  that  ever  he  might  do  such 
deeds  of  arms.  And  then  he  might  see  sometime  the 
battle  was  driven  a  bow -draught  from  the  castle,  and 
sometime  it  was  at  the  gates  of  the  castle.  Then  came 
Elias  the  captain  rushing  here  and  there,  and  hit  King 
Mark  so  sore  upon  the  helm  that  he  made  him  to  avoid 
the  saddle.  And  then  Sir  Dinas  gat  King  Mark  again  to 
horseback.  Therewithal  came  in  Sir  Tristram  like  a  lion, 
and  there  he  met  with  Elias,  and  he  smote  him  so  sore 
upon  the  helm  that  he  avoided  his  saddle.  And  thus  they 
fought  till  it  was  night,  and  for  great  slaughter  and  for 
wounded  people  everych  party  drew  to  their  rest. 

And  when  King  Mark  was  come  within  the  Castle  of 


CH.  xxx  HOW  ELIAS  AND  TRISTRAM  FOUGHT    55 

Tintagil  he  lacked  of  his  knights  an  hundred,  and  they 
without  lacked  two  hundred ;  and  they  searched  the 
wounded  men  on  both  parties.  And  then  they  went  to 
council  ;  and  wit  you  well  either  party  were  loath  to  fight 
more,  so  that  either  might  escape  with  their  worship. 
When  Elias  the  captain  understood  the  death  of  his  men 
he  made  great  dole ;  and  when  he  wist  that  they  were 
loath  to  go  to  battle  again  he  was  wroth  out  of  measure. 
Then  Elias  sent  word  unto  King  Mark,  in  great  despite, 
whether  he  would  find  a  knight  that  would  fight  for  him 
body  for  body.  And  if  that  he  might  slay  King  Mark's 
knight,  he  to  have  the  truage  of  Cornwall  yearly.  And 
if  that  his  knight  slay  mine,  I  fully  release  my  claim  for- 
ever. Then  the  messenger  departed  unto  King  Mark, 
and  told  him  how  that  his  lord  Elias  had  sent  him  word 
to  find  a  knight  to  do  battle  with  him  body  for  body. 
When  King  Mark  understood  the  messenger,  he  bade  him 
abide  and  he  should  have  his  answer.  Then  called  he  all 
the  baronage  together  to  wit  what  was  the  best  counsel. 
They  said  all  at  once  :  To  fight  in  a  field  we  have  no  lust, 
for  had  not  been  Sir  Tristram's  prowess  it  had  been  likely 
that  we  never  should  have  escaped  ;  and  therefore,  sir,  as 
we  deem,  it  were  well  done  to  find  a  knight  that  would  do 
battle  with  him,  for  he  knightly  profFereth. 


CHAPTER   XXX 

How  Sir  Elias  and  Sir  Tristram  fought  together  for  the 
truage,  and  how  Sir  Tristram  slew  Elias  in  the  field. 

NOT  for  then  when  all  this  was  said,  they  could  find  no 
knight  that  would  do  battle  with  him.  Sir  king,  said  they 
all,  here  is  no  knight  that  dare  fight  with  Elias.  Alas, 
said  King  Mark,  then  am  I  utterly  ashamed  and  utterly 
destroyed,  unless  that  my  nephew  Sir  Tristram  will  take 
the  battle  upon  him.  Wit  you  well,  they  said  all,  he  had 
yesterday  overmuch  on  hand,  and  he  is  weary  for  travail, 


56  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

and  sore  wounded.  Where  is  he  ?  said  King  Mark.  Sir, 
said  they,  he  is  in  his  bed  to  repose  him.  Alas,  said  King 
Mark,  but  I  have  the  succour  of  my  nephew  Sir  Tristram, 
I  am  utterly  destroyed  for  ever. 

Therewith  one  went  to  Sir  Tristram  where  he  lay,  and 
told  him  what  King  Mark  had  said.  And  therewith  Sir 
Tristram  arose  lightly,  and  put  on  him  a  long  gown,  and 
came  afore  the  king  and  all  the  lords.  And  when  he  saw 
them  all  so  dismayed  he  asked  the  king  and  the  lords 
what  tidings  were  with  them.  Never  worse,  said  the 
king.  And  therewith  he  told  him  all,  how  he  had  word 
of  Elias  to  find  a  knight  to  fight  for  the  truage  of  Corn- 
wall, and  none  can  I  find.  And  as  for  you,  said  the  king 
and  all  the  lords,  we  may  ask  no  more  of  you  for  shame  ; 
for  through  your  hardiness  yesterday  ye  saved  all  our  lives. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  now  I  understand  ye  would  have  my 
succour,  reason  would  that  I  should  do  all  that  lieth  in  my 
power  to  do,  saving  my  worship  and  my  life,  howbeit  I 
am  sore  bruised  and  hurt.  And  sithen  Sir  Elias  proffereth 
so  largely,  I  shall  fight  with  him,  or  else  I  will  be  slain  in 
the  field,  or  else  I  will  deliver  Cornwall  from  the  old 
truage.  And  therefore  lightly  call  his  messenger  and  he 
shall  be  answered,  for  as  yet  my  wounds  be  green,  and 
they  will  be  sorer  a  seven  night  after  than  they  be  now  ; 
and  therefore  he  shall  have  his  answer  that  I  will  do  battle 
to-morn  with  him. 

Then  was  the  messenger  departed  brought  before  King 
Mark.  Hark,  my  fellow,  said  Sir  Tristram,  go  fast  unto 
thy  lord,  and  bid  him  make  true  assurance  on  his  part  for 
the  truage,  as  the  king  here  shall  make  on  his  part ;  and 
then  tell  thy  lord,  Sir  Elias,  that  I,  Sir  Tristram,  King 
Arthur's  knight,  and  knight  of  the  Table  Round,  will  as 
to-morn  meet  with  thy  lord  on  horseback,  to  do  battle  as 
long  as  my  horse  may  endure,  and  after  that  to  do  battle 
with  him  on  foot  to  the  utterance.  The  messenger  beheld 
Sir  Tristram  from  the  top  to  the  toe ;  and  therewithal  he 
departed  and  came  to  his  lord,  and  told  him  how  he  was 
answered  of  Sir  Tristram.  And  therewithal  was  made 
hostage  on  both  parties,  and  made  it  as  sure  as  it  might 


CH.XXX   HOW  ELIAS  AND  TRISTRAM  FOUGHT    57 

be,  that  whether  party  had  the  victory,  so  to  end.  And 
then  were  both  hosts  assembled  on  both  parts  of  the  field, 
without  the  Castle  of  Tintagil,  and  there  was  none  but  Sir 
Tristram  and  Sir  Elias  armed. 

So  when  the  appointment  was  made,  they  departed 
in-sunder,  and  they  came  together  with  all  the  might  that 
their  horses  might  run.  And  either  knight  smote  other 
so  hard  that  both  horses  and  knights  went  to  the  earth. 
Not  for  then  they  both  lightly  arose  and  dressed  their 
shields  on  their  shoulders,  with  naked  swords  in  their 
hands,  and  they  dashed  together  that  it  seemed  a  flaming 
fire  about  them.  Thus  they  traced,  and  traversed,  and 
hewed  on  helms  and  hauberks,  and  cut  away  many  cantels 
of  their  shields,  and  either  wounded  other  passing  sore,  so 
that  the  hot  blood  fell  freshly  upon  the  earth.  And  by 
then  they  had  foughten  the  mountenance  of  an  hour  Sir 
Tristram  waxed  faint  and  for-bled,  and  gave  sore  aback. 
That  saw  Sir  Elias,  and  followed  fiercely  upon  him,  and 
wounded  him  in  many  places.  And  ever  Sir  Tristram 
traced  and  traversed,  and  went  froward  him  here  and  there, 
and  covered  him  with  his  shield  as  he  might  all  weakly, 
that  all  men  said  he  was  overcome  ;  for  Sir  Elias  had  given 
him  twenty  strokes  against  one. 

Then  was  there  laughing  of  the  Sessoins'  party,  and 
great  dole  on  King  Mark's  party.  Alas,  said  the  king, 
we  are  ashamed  and  destroyed  all  for  ever  :  for  as  the 
book  saith,  Sir  Tristram  was  never  so  matched,  but  if  it 
were  Sir  Launcelot.  Thus  as  they  stood  and  beheld  both 
parties,  that  one  party  laughing  and  the  other  party 
weeping,  Sir  Tristram  remembered  him  of  his  lady,  La 
Beale  Isoud,  that  looked  upon  him,  and  how  he  was  likely 
never  to  come  in  her  presence.  Then  he  pulled  up  his 
shield  that  erst  hung  full  low.  And  then  he  dressed  up 
his  shield  unto  Elias,  and  gave  him  many  sad  strokes, 
twenty  against  one,  and  all  to -brake  his  shield  and  his 
hauberk,  that  the  hot  blood  ran  down  to  the  earth.  Then 
began  King  Mark  to  laugh,  and  all  Cornish  men,  and  that 
other  party  to  weep.  And  ever  Sir  Tristram  said  to  Sir 
Elias  :  Yield  thee. 


58  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

Then  when  Sir  Tristram  saw  him  so  staggering  on  the 
ground,  he  said  :  Sir  Elias,  I  am  right  sorry  for  thee,  for 
thou  art  a  passing  good  knight  as  ever  I  met  withal,  except 
Sir  Launcelot.  Therewithal  Sir  Elias  fell  to  the  earth,  and 
there  died.  What  shall  I  do,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto  King 
Mark,  for  this  battle  is  at  an  end  ?  Then  they  of  Elias' 
party  departed,  and  King  Mark  took  of  them  many 
prisoners,  to  redress  the  harms  and  the  scathes  that  he  had 
of  them  ;  and  the  remnant  he  sent  into  their  country  to 
borrow  out  their  fellows.  Then  was  Sir  Tristram  searched 
and  well  healed.  Yet  for  all  this  King  Mark  would  fain 
have  slain  Sir  Tristram.  But  for  all  that  ever  Sir  Tristram 
saw  or  heard  by  King  Mark,  yet  would  he  never  beware 
of  his  treason,  but  ever  he  would  be  thereas  La  Beale 
Isoud  was. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

How  at  a  great  feast  that  King  Mark  made  an  harper 
came  and  sang  the  lay  that  Dinadan  had  made. 

Now  will  we  pass  of  this  matter,  and  speak  we  of  the 
harpers  that  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Dinadan  had  sent  into 
Cornwall.  And  at  the  great  feast  that  King  Mark  made 
for  joy  that  the  Sessoins  were  put  out  of  his  country,  then 
came  Eliot  the  harper  with  the  lay  that  Dinadan  had  made, 
and  secretly  brought  it  unto  Sir  Tristram,  and  told  him 
the  lay  that  Dinadan  had  made  by  King  Mark.  And 
when  Sir  Tristram  heard  it,  he  said  :  O  Lord  Jesu,  that 
Dinadan  can  make  wonderly  well  and  ill,  thereas  it  shall 
be.  Sir,  said  Eliot,  dare  I  sing  this  song  afore  King  Mark  ? 
Yea,  on  my  peril,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  I  shall  be  thy 
warrant.  Then  at  the  meat  came  in  Eliot  the  harper,  and 
because  he  was  a  curious  harper  men  heard  him  sing  the 
same  lay  that  Dinadan  had  made,  the  which  spake  the 
most  villainy  by  King  Mark  of  his  treason  that  ever  man 
heard. 

When  the  harper  had  sung  his  song  to  the  end  King 
Mark  was  wonderly  wroth,  and  said  :  Thou  harper,  how 


CH.  xxxii   HOW  KING  MARK  SLEW  BOUDWIN       59 

durst  thou  be  so  bold  on  thy  head  to  sing  this  song  afore 
me.  Sir,  said  Eliot,  wit  you  well  I  am  a  minstrel,  and  I 
must  do  as  I  am  commanded  of  these  lords  that  I  bear  the 
arms  of.  And  sir,  wit  ye  well  that  Sir  Dinadan,  a  knight 
of  the  Table  Round,  made  this  song,  and  made  me  to 
sing  it  afore  you.  Thou  sayest  well,  said  King  Mark, 
and  because  thou  art  a  minstrel  thou  shalt  go  quit,  but  I 
charge  thee  hie  thee  fast  out  of  my  sight.  So  the  harper 
departed  and  went  to  Sir  Tristram,  and  told  him  how  he 
had  sped.  Then  Sir  Tristram  let  make  letters  as  goodly 
as  he  could  to  Launcelot  and  to  Sir  Dinadan.  And  so  he 
let  conduct  the  harper  out  of  the  country.  But  to  say 
that  King  Mark  was  wonderly  wroth,  he  was,  for  he 
deemed  that  the  lay  that  was  sung  afore  him  was  made  by 
Sir  Tristram's  counsel,  wherefore  he  thought  to  slay  him 
and  all  his  well-willers  in  that  country. 


CHAPTER   XXXII 

How  King  Mark  slew  by  treason  his  brother  Boudwin,  for 
good  service  that  he  had  done  to  him. 

Now  turn  we  to  another  matter  that  fell  between 
King  Mark  and  his  brother,  that  was  called  the  good 
Prince  Boudwin,  that  all  the  people  of  the  country  loved 
passing  well.  So  it  befell  on  a  time  that  the  miscreant 
Saracens  landed  in  the  country  of  Cornwall  soon  after 
these  Sessoins  were  gone.  And  then  the  good  Prince 
Boudwin,  at  the  landing,  he  raised  the  country  privily  and 
hastily.  And  or  it  were  day  he  let  put  wildfire  in  three 
of  his  own  ships,  and  suddenly  he  pulled  up  the  sail,  and 
with  the  wind  he  made  those  ships  to  be  driven  among 
the  navy  of  the  Saracens.  And  to  make  short  tale,  those 
three  ships  set  on  fire  all  the  ships,  that  none  were  saved. 
And  at  point  of  the  day  the  good  Prince  Boudwin  with 
all  his  fellowship  set  on  the  miscreants  with  shouts  and 
cries,  and  slew  to  the  number  of  forty  thousand,  and  left 
none  alive. 


60  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

When  King  Mark  wist  this  he  was  wonderly  wroth 
that  his  brother  should  win  such  worship.  And  because 
this  prince  was  better  beloved  than  he  in  all  that  country, 
and  that  also  Boudwin  loved  well  Sir  Tristram,  therefore 
he  thought  to  slay  him.  And  thus,  hastily,  as  a  man  out 
of  his  wit,  he  sent  for  Prince  Boudwin  and  Anglides  his 
wife,  and  bade  them  bring  their  young  son  with  them, 
that  he  might  see  him.  All  this  he  did  to  the  intent  to 
slay  the  child  as  well  as  his  father,  for  he  was  the  falsest 
traitor  that  ever  was  born.  Alas,  for  his  goodness  and 
for  his  good  deeds  this  gentle  Prince  Boudwin  was  slain. 
So  when  he  came  with  his  wife  Anglides,  the  king  made 
them  fair  semblant  till  they  had  dined.  And  when  they 
had  dined  King  Mark  sent  for  his  brother  and  said  thus : 
Brother,  how  sped  you  when  the  miscreants  arrived  by 
you  ?  meseemeth  it  had  been  your  part  to  have  sent  me 
word,  that  I  might  have  been  at  that  journey,  for  it  had 
been  reason  that  1  had  had  the  honour  and  not  you. 
Sir,  said  the  Prince  Boudwin,  it  was  so  that  an  I  had 
tarried  till  that  I  had  sent  for  you  those  miscreants  had 
destroyed  my  country.  Thou  liest,  false  traitor,  said 
King  Mark,  for  thou  art  ever  about  for  to  win  worship 
from  me,  and  put  me  to  dishonour,  and  thou  cherishest 
that  I  hate.  And  therewith  he  struck  him  to  the  heart 
with  a  dagger,  that  he  never  after  spake  word.  Then  the 
Lady  Anglides  made  great  dole,  and  swooned,  for  she  saw 
her  lord  slain  afore  her  face.  Then  was  there  no  more  to 
do  but  Prince  Boudwin  was  despoiled  and  brought  to 
burial.  But  Anglides  privily  gat  her  husband's  doublet 
and  his  shirt,  and  that  she  kept  secretly. 

Then  was  there  much  sorrow  and  crying,  and  great 
dole  made  Sir  Tristram,  Sir  Dinas,  Sir  Fergus,  and  so  did 
all  knights  that  were  there  ;  for  that  prince  was  passingly 
well  beloved.  So  La  Beale  Isoud  sent  unto  Anglides,  the 
Prince  Boudwin's  wife,  and  bade  her  avoid  lightly  or  else 
her  young  son,  Alisander  le  Orphelin,  should  be  slain. 
When  she  heard  this,  she  took  her  horse  and  her  child, 
and  rode  with  such  poor  men  as  durst  ride  with  her. 


CHAP,  xxxin    HOW  ANGLIDES  ESCAPED  61 


CHAPTER   XXXIII 

How  Anglides,  Boudwins  wife,  escaped  with  her  young  son, 
AHsander  le  Orphelin,  and  came  to  the  Castle  of  Arundel. 

NOTWITHSTANDING,  when  King  Mark  had  done  this 
deed,  yet  he  thought  to  do  more  vengeance  ;  and  with  his 
sword  in  his  hand,  he  sought  from  chamber  to  chamber, 
to  seek  Anglides  and  her  young  son.  And  when  she  was 
missed  he  called  a  good  knight  that  hight  Sadok,  and 
charged  him  by  pain  of  death  to  fetch  Anglides  again  and 
her  young  son.  So  Sir  Sadok  departed  and  rode  after 
Anglides.  And  within  ten  mile  he  overtook  her,  and 
bade  her  turn  again  and  ride  with  him  to  King  Mark. 
Alas,  fair  knight,  she  said,  what  shall  ye  win  by  my  son's 
death  or  by  mine  ?  I  have  had  overmuch  harm  and  too 
great  a  loss.  Madam,  said  Sadok,  of  your  loss  is  dole 
and  pity  ;  but  madam,  said  Sadok,  would  ye  depart  out 
of  this  country  with  your  son,  and  keep  him  till  he  be  of 
age,  that  he  may  revenge  his  father's  death,  then  would 
I  suffer  you  to  depart  from  me,  so  you  promise  me 
to  revenge  the  death  of  Prince  Boudwin.  Ah,  gentle 
knight,  Jesu  thank  thee,  and  if  ever  my  son,  AHsander  le 
Orphelin,  live  to  be  a  knight,  he  shall  have  his  father's 
doublet  and  his  shirt  with  the  bloody  marks,  and  I  shall 
give  him  such  a  charge  that  he  shall  remember  it  while  he 
liveth.  And  therewithal  Sadok  departed  from  her,  and 
either  betook  other  to  God.  And  when  Sadok  came  to 
King  Mark  he  told  him  faithfully  that  he  had  drowned 
young  Alisander  her  son;  and  thereof  King  Mark  was 
full  glad. 

Now  turn  we  unto  Anglides,  that  rode  both  night  and 
day  by  adventure  out  of  Cornwall,  and  little  and  in  few 
places  she  rested  ;  but  ever  she  drew  southward  to  the 
seaside,  till  by  fortune  she  came  to  a  castle  that  is  called 
Magouns,  and  now  it  is  called  Arundel,  in  Sussex.  And 
the  Constable  of  the  castle  welcomed  her,  and  said  she 


6a  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

was  welcome  to  her  own  castle  ;  and  there  was  Anglides 
worshipfully  received,  for  the  Constable's  wife  was  nigh 
her  cousin,  and  the  Constable's  name  was  Bellangere  ;  and 
that  same  Constable  told  Anglides  that  the  same  castle 
was  hers  by  right  inheritance.  Thus  Anglides  endured 
years  and  winters,  till  Alisander  was  big  and  strong ; 
there  was  none  so  wight  in  all  that  country,  neither  there 
was  none  that  might  do  no  manner  of  mastery  afore  him. 


CHAPTER   XXXIV 

How  Anglides  gave  the  bloody  doublet  to  Alisander,  her  son, 
the  same  day  that  he  was  made  knight,  and  the  charge 
withal. 

THEN  upon  a  day  Bellangere  the  Constable  came  to 
Anglides  and  said:  Madam,  it  were  time  my  lord  Ali- 
sander were  made  knight,  for  he  is  a  passing  strong 
young  man.  Sir,  said  she,  I  would  he  were  made  knight  ; 
but  then  must  I  give  him  the  most  charge  that  ever 
sinful  mother  gave  to  her  child.  Do  as  ye  list,  said 
Bellangere,  and  I  shall  give  him  warning  that  he  shall  be 
made  knight.  Now  it  will  be  well  done  that  he  may  be 
made  knight  at  our  Lady  Day  in  Lent.  Be  it  so,  said 
Anglides,  and  I  pray  you  make  ready  therefore.  So  came 
the  Constable  to  Alisander,  and  told  him  that  he  should 
at  our  Lady  Day  in  Lent  be  made  knight.  I  thank  God, 
said  Alisander  ;  these  are  the  best  tidings  that  ever  came 
to  me.  Then  the  Constable  ordained  twenty  of  the 
greatest  gentlemen's  sons,  and  the  best  born  men  of  the 
country,  that  should  be  made  knights  that  same  day  that 
Alisander  was  made  knight.  So  on  the  same  day  that 
.Alisander  and  his  twenty  fellows  were  made  knights,  at 
the  offering  of  the  mass  there  came  Anglides  unto  her 
son  and  said  thus  :  O  fair  sweet  son,  I  charge  thee  upon 
my  blessing,  and  of  the  high  order  of  chivalry  that  thou 
takest  here  this  day,  that  thou  understand  what  I  shall 


CH.  xxxv       OF  ALISANDER  LE  ORPHELIN  63 

say  and  charge  thee  withal.  Therewithal  she  pulled  out  a 
bloody  doublet  and  a  bloody  shirt,  that  were  be-bled  with 
old  blood.  When  Alisander  saw  this  he  stert  aback  and 
waxed  pale,  and  said  :  Fair  mother,  what  may  this  mean  ? 
I  shall  tell  thee,  fair  son  :  this  was  thine  own  father's 
doublet  and  shirt,  that  he  wore  upon  him  that  same  day 
that  he  was  slain.  And  there  she  told  him  why  and 
wherefore,  and  how  for  his  goodness  King  Mark  slew 
him  with  his  dagger  afore  mine  own  eyen.  And  therefore 
this  shall  be  your  charge  that  I  shall  give  thee. 


CHAPTER   XXXV 

How  it  was  told  to  King  Mark  of  Sir  Alisander ',  and  how 
he  would  have  slain  Sir  Sadok  for  saving  his  life. 

Now  I  require  thee,  and  charge  thee  upon  my  blessing, 
and  upon  the  high  order  of  knighthood,  that  thou  be 
revenged  upon  King  Mark  for  the  death  of  thy  father. 
And  therewithal  she  swooned.  Then  Alisander  leapt  to 
his  mother,  and  took  her  up  in  his  arms,  and  said  :  Fair 
mother,  ye  have  given  me  a  great  charge,  and  here  1 
promise  you  I  shall  be  avenged  upon  King  Mark  when 
that  I  may  ;  and  that  I  promise  to  God  and  to  you.  So 
this  feast  was  ended,  and  the  Constable,  by  the  advice  of 
Anglides,  let  purvey  that  Alisander  was  well  horsed  and 
harnessed.  Then  he  jousted  with v  his  twenty  fellows  that 
were  made  knights  with  him,  but  for  to  make  a  short 
tale,  he  overthrew  all  those  twenty,  that  none  might 
withstand  him  a  buffet. 

Then  one  of  those  knights  departed  unto  King  Mark, 
and  told  him  all,  how  Alisander  was  made  knight,  and  all 
the  charge  that  his  mother  gave  him,  as  ye  have  heard 
afore  time.  Alas,  false  treason,  said  King  Mark,  I  weened 
that  young  traitor  had  been  dead.  Alas,  whom  may  I 
trust  ?  And  therewithal  King  Mark  took  a  sword  in  his 
hand,  and  sought  Sir  Sadok  from  chamber  to  chamber  to 


64  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

slay  him.  When  Sir  Sadok  saw  King  Mark  come  with 
his  sword  in  his  hand  he  said  thus  :  Beware,  King  Mark, 
and  come  not  nigh  me  ;  for  wit  thou  well  that  I  saved 
Alisander  his  life,  of  which  I  never  repent  me,  for  thou 
falsely  and  cowardly  slew  his  father  Boudwin,  traitorly  for 
his  good  deeds  ;  wherefore  I  pray  Almighty  Jesu  send 
Alisander  might  and  strength  to  be  revenged  upon  thee. 
And  now  beware  King  Mark  of  young  Alisander,  for  he 
is  made  a  knight.  Alas,  said  King  Mark,  that  ever  I 
should  hear  a  traitor  say  so  afore  me.  And  therewith 
four  knights  of  King  Mark's  drew  their  swords  to  slay  Sir 
Sadok,  but  anon  Sir  Sadok  slew  them  all  in  King  Mark's 
presence.  And  then  Sir  Sadok  passed  forth  into  his 
chamber,  and  took  his  horse  and  his  harness,  and  rode  on 
his  way  a  good  pace.  For  there  was  neither  Sir  Tristram, 
neither  Sir  Dinas,  nor  Sir  Fergus,  that  would  Sir  Sadok 
any  evil  will.  Then  was  King  Mark  wroth,  and  thought 
to  destroy  Sir  Alisander  and  Sir  Sadok  that  had  saved  him  ; 
for  King  Mark  dreaded  and  hated  Alisander  most  of  any 
man  living. 

When  Sir  Tristram  understood  that  Alisander  was 
made  knight,  anon  forthwithal  he  sent  him  a  letter,  pray- 
ing him  and  charging  him  that  he  would  draw  him  to  the 
court  of  King  Arthur,  and  that  he  put  him  in  the  rule  and 
in  the  hands  of  Sir  Launcelot.  So  this  letter  was  sent  to 
Alisander  from  his  cousin,  Sir  Tristram.  And  at  that  time 
he  thought  to  do  after  his  commandment.  Then  King 
Mark  called  a  knight  that  brought  him  the  tidings  from 
Alisander,  and  bade  him  abide  still  in  that  country.  Sir, 
said  that  knight,  so  must  I  do,  for  in  my  own  country  I 
dare  not  come.  No  force,  said  King  Mark,  I  shall  give 
thee  here  double  as  much  lands  as  ever  thou  hadst  of  thine 
own.  But  within  short  space  Sir  Sadok  met  with  that  false 
knight,  and  slew  him.  Then  was  King  Mark  wood  wroth 
out  of  measure.  Then  he  sent  unto  Queen  Morgan  le 
Fay,  and  to  the  Queen  of  Northgalis,  praying  them  in  his 
letters  that  they  two  sorceresses  would  set  all  the  country 
in  fire  with  ladies  that  were  enchantresses,  and  by  such  that 
were  dangerous  knights,  as  Malgrin,  Breuse  Saunce  Pite, 


"  Then  she  unwimpled  her  visage.      And  when  he  saw  her  he  said  :  '  Here  have  I 
found  my  love  and  my  lady.'" — Book  X.,  Chapter  XXXIX. 


CH.  xxxvi    HOW  ALISANDER  WON  THE  PRIZE       65 

that  by  no  mean  Alisander  le  Orphelin  should  escape,  but 
either  he  should  be  taken  or  slain.  This  ordinance  made 
King  Mark  for  to  destroy  Alisander. 


CHAPTER   XXXVI 

How  Sir  Alisander  won  the  prize  at  a  tournament,  and  of 
Morgan  le  Fay  :  and  how  he  fought  with  Sir  Malgrin, 
and  slew  him. 

Now  turn  we  again  unto  Sir  Alisander,  that  at  his  depart- 
ing his  mother  took  with  him  his  father's  bloody  shirt. 
So  that  he  bare  with  him  always  till  his  death  day,  in 
tokening  to  think  of  his  father's  death.  So  was  Alisander 
purposed  to  ride  to  London,  by  the  counsel  of  Sir  Tris- 
tram, to  Sir  Launcelot.  And  by  fortune  he  went  by  the 
seaside,  and  rode  wrong.  And  there  he  won  at  a  tourna- 
ment the  gree  that  King  Carados  made.  And  there  he 
smote  down  King  Carados  and  twenty  of  his  knights,  and 
also  Sir  Safere,  a  good  knight  that  was  Sir  Palomides' 
brother,  the  good  knight.  All  this  saw  a  damosel,  and 
saw  the  best  knight  joust  that  ever  she  saw.  And  ever  as 
he  smote  down  knights  he  made  them  to  swear  to  wear 
none  harness  in  a  twelvemonth  and  a  day.  This  is  well 
said,  said  Morgan  le  Fay,  this  is  the  knight  that  I  would 
fain  see.  And  so  she  took  her  palfrey,  and  rode  a  great 
while,  and  then  she  rested  her  in  her  pavilion.  So  there 
came  four  knights,  two  were  armed,  and  two  were  unarmed, 
and  they  told  Morgan  le  Fay  their  names  :  the  first 
was  Elias  de  Gomeret,  the  second  was  Cari  de  Gomeret, 
those  were  armed  ;  that  other  twain  were  of  Camiliard, 
cousins  unto  Queen  Guenever,  and  that  one  hight  Guy, 
and  that  other  hight  Garaunt,  those  were  unarmed.  There 
these  four  knights  told  Morgan  le  Fay  how  a  young 
knight  had  smitten  them  down  before  a  castle  For  the 
maiden  of  that  castle  said  that  he  was  but  late  made  knight, 
and  young.  But  as  we  suppose,  but  if  it  were  Sir  Tristram, 

VOL.   II  F 


66  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

or  Sir  Launcelot,  or  Sir  Lamorak,  the  good  knight,  there 
is  none  that  might  sit  him  a  buffet  with  a  spear.  Well, 
said  Morgan  le  Fay,  I  shall  meet  that  knight  or  it  be  long 
time,  an  he  dwell  in  that  country. 

So  turn  we  to  the  damosel  of  the  castle,  that  when 
Alisander  le  Orphelin  had  for-jousted  the  four  knights, 
she  called  him  to  her,  and  said  thus  :  Sir  knight,  wilt  thou 
for  my  sake  joust  and  fight  with  a  knight,  for  my  sake, 
of  this  country,  that  is  and  hath  been  long  time  an  evil 
neighbour  to  me  ?  His  name  is  Malgrin,  and  he  will  not 
suffer  me  to  be  married  in  no  manner  wise  for  all  that  I 
can  do,  or  any  knight  for  my  sake.  Damosel,  said  Ali- 
sander, an  he  come  whiles  I  am  here  I  will  fight  with  him, 
and  my  poor  body  for  your  sake  I  will  jeopard.  And 
therewithal  she  sent  for  him,  for  he  was  at  her  command- 
ment. And  when  either  had  a  sight  of  other,  they  made 
them  ready  for  to  joust,  and  they  came  together  eagerly, 
and  Malgrin  brised  his  spear  upon  Alisander,  and  Alisander 
smote  him  again  so  hard  that  he  bare  him  quite  from  his 
saddle  to  the  earth.  But  this  Malgrin  arose  lightly,  and 
dressed  his  shield  and  drew  his  sword,  and  bade  him  alight, 
saying  :  Though  thou  have  the  better  of  me  on  horseback, 
thou  shalt  find  that  I  shall  endure  like  a  knight  on  foot. 
It  is  well  said,  said  Alisander  ;  and  so  lightly  he  avoided 
his  horse  and  betook  him  to  his  varlet.  And  then  they 
rushed  together  like  two  boars,  and  laid  on  their  helms 
and  shields  long  time,  by  the  space  of  three  hours,  that 
never  man  could  say  which  was  the  better  knight. 

And  in  the  meanwhile  came  Morgan  le  Fay  to  the 
damosel  of  the  castle,  and  they  beheld  the  battle.  But 
this  Malgrin  was  an  old  roted  knight,  and  he  was  called 
one  of  the  dangerous  knights  of  the  world  to  do  battle  on 
foot,  but  on  horseback  there  were  many  better.  And  ever 
this  Malgrin  awaited  to  slay  Alisander,  and  so  wounded 
him  wonderly  sore,  that  it  was  marvel  that  ever  he  might 
stand,  for  he  had  bled  so  much  blood  ;  for  Alisander 
fought  wildly,  and  not  wittily.  And  that  other  was  a 
felonious  knight,  and  awaited  him,  and  smote  him  sore. 
And  sometime  they  rushed  together  with  their  shields, 


CH.  xxxvn    OF  ALISANDER  AND  MALGRIN  67 

like  two  boars  or  rams,  and  fell  grovelling  both  to  the 
earth.  Now  knight,  said  Malgrin,  hold  thy  hand  a  while, 
and  tell  me  what  thou  art.  I  will  not,  said  Alisander,  but 
if  me  list :  but  tell  me  thy  name,  and  why  thou  keepest 
this  country,  or  else  thou  shalt  die  of  my  hands.  Wit 
thou  well,  said  Malgrin,  that  for  this  maiden's  love,  of  this 
castle,  I  have  slain  ten  good  knights  by  mishap  ;  and  by 
outrage  and  orgulite  of  myself  I  have  slain  ten  other 
knights.  So  God  me  help,  said  Alisander,  this  is  the 
foulest  confession  that  ever  I  heard  knight  make,  nor 
never  heard  I  speak  of  other  men  of  such  a  shameful 
confession  ;  wherefore  it  were  great  pity  and  great  shame 
unto  me  that  I  should  let  thee  live  any  longer  ;  therefore 
keep  thee  as  well  as  ever  thou  mayest,  for  as  I  am  true 
knight,  either  thou  shalt  slay  me  or  else  I  shall  slay  thee, 
I  promise  thee  faithfully. 

Then  they  lashed  together  fiercely,  and  at  the  last  Ali- 
sander smote  Malgrin  to  the  earth.  And  then  he  raced 
off  his  helm,  and  smote  off  his  head  lightly.  And  when 
he  had  done  and  ended  this  battle,  anon  he  called  to  him 
his  varlet,  the  which  brought  him  his  horse.  And  then 
he,  weening  to  be  strong  enough,  would  have  mounted. 
And  so  she  laid  Sir  Alisander  in  an  horse  litter,  and  led 
him  into  the  castle,  for  he  had  no  foot  nor  might  to  stand 
upon  the  earth ;  for  he  had  sixteen  great  wounds,  and  in 
especial  one  of  them  was  like  to  be  his  death. 


CHAPTER   XXXVII 

How  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay  had  Alisander  in  her  castle^  and 
how  she  healed  his  wounds. 

THEN  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay  searched  his  wounds,  and 
gave  such  an  ointment  unto  him  that  he  should  have  died. 
And  on  the  morn  when  she  came  to  him  he  complained 
him  sore ;  and  then  she  put  other  ointments  upon  him, 
and  then  he  was  out  of  his  pain.  Then  came  the  damosel 


68  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

of  the  castle,  and  said  unto  Morgan  le  Fay  :  I  pray  you 
help  me  that  this  knight  might  wed  me,  for  he  hath  won 
me  with  his  hands.  Ye  shall  see,  said  Morgan  le  Fay, 
what  I  shall  say.  Then  Morgan  le  Fay  went  unto  Ali- 
sander,  and  bade  in  anywise  that  he  should  refuse  this  lady, 
an  she  desire  to  wed  you,  for  she  is  not  for  you.  So  the 
damosel  came  and  desired  of  him  marriage.  Damosel,  said 
Orphelin,  I  thank  you,  but  as  yet  I  cast  me  not  to  marry 
in  this  country.  Sir,  she  said,  sithen  ye  will  not  marry 
me,  I  pray  you  insomuch  as  ye  have  won  me,  that  ye  will 
give  me  to  a  knight  of  this  country  that  hath  been  my 
friend,  and  loved  me  many  years.  With  all  my  heart, 
said  Alisander,  I  will  assent  thereto.  Then  was  the  knight 
sent  for,  his  name  was  Gerine  le  Grose.  And  anon  he 
made  them  handfast,  and  wedded  them. 

Then  came  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay  to  Alisander,  and 
bade  him  arise,  and  put  him  in  an  horse  litter,  and  gave 
him  such  a  drink  that  in  three  days  and  three  nights  he 
waked  never,  but  slept ;  and  so  she  brought  him  to  her 
own  castle  that  at  that  time  was  called  La  Beale  Regard. 
Then  Morgan  le  Fay  came  to  Alisander,  and  asked  him 
if  he  would  fain  be  whole.  Who  would  be  sick,  said 
Alisander,  an  he  might  be  whole  ?  Well,  said  Morgan  le 
Fay,  then  shall  ye  promise  me  by  your  knighthood  that 
this  day  twelvemonth  and  a  day  ye  shall  not  pass  the  com- 
pass of  this  castle,  and  without  doubt  ye  shall  lightly  be 
whole.  I  assent,  said  Sir  Alisander.  And  there  he  made  her 
a  promise  :  then  was  he  soon  whole.  And  when  Alisander 
was  whole,  then  he  repented  him  of  his  oath,  for  he  might 
not  be  revenged  upon  King  Mark.  Right  so  there  came 
a  damosel  that  was  cousin  to  the  Earl  of  Pase,  and  she  was 
cousin  to  Morgan  le  Fay.  And  by  right  that  castle  of  La 
Beale  Regard  should  have  been  hers  by  true  inheritance. 
So  this  damosel  entered  into  this  castle  where  lay  Ali- 
sander, and  there  she  found  him  upon  his  bed,  passing 
heavy  and  all  sad. 


CH.  xxxvm  HOW  ALISANDER  WAS  DELIVERED     69 


CHAPTER   XXXVIII 

How  Alisander  was  delivered  from  Queen  Morgan  h  Fay 
by  the  means  of  a  damosel. 

SIR  knight,  said  the  damosel,  an  ye  would  be  merry 
I  could  tell  you  good  tidings.  Well  were  me,  said 
Alisander,  an  I  might  hear  of  good  tidings,  for  now  I 
stand  as  a  prisoner  by  my  promise.  Sir,  she  said,  wit  you 
well  that  ye  be  a  prisoner,  and  worse  than  ye  ween  ;  for 
my  lady,  my  cousin  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay,  keepeth  you 
here  for  none  other  intent  but  for  to  do  her  pleasure  with 
you  when  it  liketh  her.  O  Jesu  defend  me,  said  Alisander, 
from  such  pleasure  ;  for  I  had  liefer  cut  away  my  hangers 
than  I  would  do  her  such  pleasure.  As  Jesu  help  me,  said 
the  damosel,  an  ye  would  love  me  and  be  ruled  by  me,  I 
shall  make  your  deliverance  with  your  worship.  Tell  me, 
said  Alisander,  by  what  means,  and  ye  shall  have  my  love. 
Fair  knight,  said  she,  this  castle  of  right  ought  to  be 
mine,  and  I  have  an  uncle  the  which  is  a  mighty  earl,  he  is 
Earl  of  Pase,  and  of  all  folks  he  hateth  most  Morgan  le 
Fay ;  and  I  shall  send  unto  him  and  pray  him  for  my  sake 
to  destroy  this  castle  for  the  evil  customs  that  be  used 
therein  ;  and  then  will  he  come  and  set  wild-fire  on  every 
part  of  the  castle,  and  I  shall  get  you  out  at  a  privy 
postern,  and  there  shall  ye  have  your  horse  and  your 
harness.  Ye  say  well,  damosel,  said  Alisander.  And  then 
she  said  :  Ye  may  keep  the  room  of  this  castle  this 
twelvemonth  and  a  day,  then  break  ye  not  your  oath. 
Truly,  fair  damosel,  said  Alisander,  ye  say  sooth.  And 
then  he  kissed  her,  and  did  to  her  pleasaunce  as  it  pleased 
them  both  at  times  and  leisures. 

So  anon  she  sent  unto  her  uncle  and  bade  him  come 
and  destroy  that  castle,  for  as  the  book  saith,  he  would 
have  destroyed  that  castle  afore  time  had  not  that  damosel 
been.  When  the  earl  understood  her  letters  he  sent  her 
word  again  that  on  such  a  day  he  would  come  and  destroy 


70  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

that  castle.  So  when  that  day  came  she  showed  Alisander 
a  postern  wherethrough  he  should  flee  into  a  garden,  and 
there  he  should  find  his  armour  and  his  horse.  When  the 
day  came  that  was  set,  thither  came  the  Earl  of  Pase  with 
four  hundred  knights,  and  set  on  fire  all  the  parts  of  the 
castle,  that  or  they  ceased  they  left  not  a  stone  standing. 
And  all  this  while  that  the  fire  was  in  the  castle  he  abode 
in  the  garden.  And  when  the  fire  was  done  he  let  make 
a  cry  that  he  would  keep  that  piece  of  earth  thereas  the 
castle  of  La  Beale  Regard  was  a  twelvemonth  and  a  day, 
from  all  manner  knights  that  would  come. 

So  it  happed  there  was  a  duke  that  hight  Ansirus,  and 
he  was  of  the  kin  of  Sir  Launcelot.  And  this  knight 
was  a  great  pilgrim,  for  every  third  year  he  would  be 
at  Jerusalem.  And  because  he  used  all  his  life  to  go  in 
pilgrimage  men  called  him  Duke  Ansirus  the  Pilgrim. 
And  this  duke  had  a  daughter  that  hight  Alice,  that  was 
a  passing  fair  woman,  and  because  of  her  father  she  was 
called  Alice  la  Beale  Pilgrim.  And  anon  as  she  heard  of 
this  cry  she  went  unto  Arthur's  court,  and  said  openly  in 
hearing  of  many  knights,  that  what  knight  may  overcome 
that  knight  that  keepeth  that  piece  of  earth  shall  have  me 
and  all  my  lands. 

When  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table  heard  her  say 
thus  many  were  glad,  for  she  was  passing  fair  and  of  great 
rents.  Right  so  she  let  cry  in  castles  and  towns  as  fast  on 
her  side  as  Alisander  did  on  his  side.  Then  she  dressed 
her  pavilion  straight  by  the  piece  of  the  earth  that 
Alisander  kept.  So  she  was  not  so  soon  there  but  there 
came  a  knight  of  Arthur's  court  that  hight  Sagramore  le 
Desirous,  and  he  proffered  to  joust  with  Alisander ;  and 
they  encountered,  and  Sagramore  le  Desirous  brised  his 
spear  upon  Sir  Alisander,  but  Sir  Alisander  smote  him  so 
hard  that  he  avoided  his  saddle.  And  when  La  Beale 
Alice  saw  him  joust  so  well,  she  thought  him  a  passing 
goodly  knight  on  horseback.  And  then  she  leapt  out  of 
her  pavilion,  and  took  Sir  Alisander  by  the  bridle,  and 
thus  she  said  :  Fair  knight,  I  require  thee  of  thy  knight- 
hood show  me  thy  visage.  I  dare  well,  said  Alisander, 


CH.  xxxix    OF  ALICE  LA  BE  ALE  PILGRIM  71 

show  my  visage.  And  then  he  put  off  his  helm ;  and  she 
saw  his  visage,  she  said  :  O  sweet  Jesu,  thee  I  must  love, 
and  never  other.  Then  show  me  your  visage,  said  he. 


CHAPTER   XXXIX 

How  Alisander  met  'with  Alice  la  Beak  Pilgrim,  and  how  he 
jousted  with  two  knights  •  and  after  of  him  and  of  Sir 
Mordred. 

THEN  she  unwimpled  her  visage.  And  when  he  saw  her 
he  said  :  Here  have  I  found  my  love  and  my  lady. 
Truly,  fair  lady,  said  he,  I  promise  you  to  be  your 
knight,  and  none  other  that  beareth  the  life.  Now,  gentle 
knight,  said  she,  tell  me  your  name.  My  name  is,  said 
he,  Alisander  le  Orphelin.  Now,  damosel,  tell  me  your 
name,  said  he.  My  name  is,  said  she,  Alice  la  Beale 
Pilgrim.  And  when  we  be  more  at  our  heart's  ease,  both 
ye  and  I  shall  tell  other  of  what  blood  we  be  come. 
So  there  was  great  love  betwixt  them.  And  as  they  thus 
talked  there  came  a  knight  that  hight  Harsouse  le  Berbuse, 
and  asked  part  of  Sir  Alisander's  spears.  Then  Sir 
Alisander  encountered  with  him,  and  at  the  first  Sir 
Alisander  smote  him  over  his  horse's  croup.  And  then 
there  came  another  knight  that  hight  Sir  Hewgon,  and  Sir 
Alisander  smote  him  down  as  he  did  that  other.  Then 
Sir  Hewgon  proffered  to  do  battle  on  foot.  Sir  Alisander 
overcame  him  with  three  strokes,  and  there  would  have 
slain  him  had  he  not  yielded  him.  So  then  Alisander 
made  both  those  knights  to  swear  to  wear  none  armour  in 
a  twelvemonth  and  a  day. 

Then  Sir  Alisander  alighted  down,  and  went  to  rest 
him  and  repose  him.  Then  the  damosel  that  helped  Sir 
Alisander  out  of  the  castle,  in  her  play  told  Alice  all 
together  how  he  was  prisoner  in  the  castle  of  La  Beale 
Regard,  and  there  she  told  her  how  she  got  him  out  of  prison. 
Sir,  said  Alice  la  Beale  Pilgrim,  meseemeth  ye  are  much 


72  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

beholding  to  this  maiden.  That  is  truth,  said  Sir 
Alisander.  And  there  Alice  told  him  of  what  blood  she 
was  come.  Sir,  wit  ye  well,  she  said,  that  I  am  of  the 
blood  of  King  Ban,  that  was  father  unto  Sir  Launcelot. 
Y-wis,  fair  lady,  said  Alisander,  my  mother  told  me  that 
my  father  was  brother  unto  a  king,  and  I  nigh  cousin  unto 
Sir  Tristram. 

Then  this  while  came  there  three  knights,  that  one 
hight  Vains,  and  the  other  hight  Harvis  de  les  Marches, 
and  the  third  hight  Perin  de  la  Montaine.  And  with  one 
spear  Sir  Alisander  smote  them  down  all  three,  and  gave 
them  such  falls  that  they  had  no  list  to  fight  upon  foot. 
So  he  made  them  to  swear  to  wear  none  arms  in  a  twelve- 
month. So  when  they  were  departed  Sir  Alisander 
beheld  his  lady  Alice  on  horseback  as  he  stood  in  her 
pavilion.  And  then  was  he  so  enamoured  upon  her  that 
he  wist  not  whether  he  were  on  horseback  or  on  foot. 

Right  so  came  the  false  knight  Sir  Mordred,  and  saw 
Sir  Alisander  was  assotted  upon  his  lady  ;  and  therewithal 
he  took  his  horse  by  the  bridle,  and  led  him  here  and 
there,  and  had  cast  to  have  led  him  out  of  that  place  to 
have  shamed  him.  When  the  damosel  that  helped  him 
out  of  that  castle  saw  how  shamefully  he  was  led,  anon 
she  let  arm  her,  and  set  a  shield  upon  her  shoulder  ;  and 
therewith  she  mounted  upon  his  horse,  and  gat  a  naked 
sword  in  her  hand,  and  she  thrust  unto  Alisander  with  all 
her  might,  and  she  gave  him  such  a  buffet  that  he  thought 
the  fire  flew  out  of  his  eyen.  And  when  Alisander  felt 
that  stroke  he  looked  about  him,  and  drew  his  sword. 
And  when  she  saw  that,  she  fled,  and  so  did  Mordred 
into  the  forest,  and  the  damosel  fled  into  the  pavilion. 
So  when  Alisander  understood  himself  how  the  false 
knight  would  have  shamed  him  had  not  the  damosel  been, 
then  was  he  wroth  with  himself  that  Sir  Mordred  was 
so  escaped  his  hands.  But  then  Sir  Alisander  and  Alice 
had  good  game  at  the  damosel,  how  sadly  she  hit  him 
upon  the  helm. 

Then  Sir  Alisander  jousted  thus  day  by  day,  and  on 
foot  he  did  many  battles  with  many  knights  of >.  King 


CH.  XL    OF  SIR  GALAHALT'S  TOURNAMENT         73 

Arthur's  court,  and  with  many  knights  strangers.  There- 
fore to  tell  all  the  battles  that  he  did  it  were  overmuch  to 
rehearse,  for  every  day  within  that  twelvemonth  he  had 
ado  with  one  knight  or  with  other,  and  some  day  he  had 
ado  with  three  or  with  four  ;  and  there  was  never  knight 
that  put  him  to  the  worse.  And  at  the  twelvemonth's 
end  he  departed  with  his  lady,  Alice  la  Beale  Pilgrim. 
And  the  damosel  would  never  go  from  him,  and  so  they 
went  into  their  country  of  Benoye,  and  lived  there  in 
great  joy. 


CHAPTER  XL 

How  Sir  GalaJialt  did  do  cry  a  jousts  in  Surluse  >  and  Queen 
Guenever  s  knights  should  joust  against  all  that  would 
come. 

BUT  as  the  book  saith,  King  Mark  would  never  stint  till 
he  had  slain  him  by  treason.  And  by  Alice  he  gat  a  child 
that  hight  Bellengerus  le  Beuse.  And  by  good  fortune  he 
came  to  the  court  of  King  Arthur,  and  proved  a  passing 
good  knight ;  and  he  revenged  his  father's  death,  for  the 
false  King  Mark  slew  both  Sir  Tristram  and  Alisander 
falsely  and  feloniously.  And  it  happed  so  that  Alisander 
had  never  grace  nor  fortune  to  come  to  King  Arthur's 
court.  For  an  he  had  come  to  Sir  Launcelot,  all  knights 
said  that  knew  him,  he  was  one  of  the  strongest  knights 
that  was  in  Arthur's  days,  and  great  dole  was  made  for 
him.  So  let  we  of  him  pass,  and  turn  we  to  another  tale. 
So  it  befell  that  Sir  Galahalt,  the  haut  prince,  was 
lord  of  the  country  of  Surluse,  whereof  came  many  good 
knights.  And  this  noble  prince  was  a  passing  good  man 
of  arms,  and  ever  he  held  a  noble  fellowship  together. 
And  then  he  came  to  Arthur's  court  and  told  him  his 
intent,  how  this  was  his  will,  how  he  would  let  cry  a 
jousts  in  the  country  of  Surluse,  the  which  country  was 
within  the  lands  of  King  Arthur,  and  there  he  asked  leave 
to  let  cry  a  jousts.  I  will  give  you  leave,  said  King  Arthur  ; 


74  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

but  wit  thou  well,  said  King  Arthur,  I  may  not  be  there. 
Sir,  said  Queen  Guenever,  please  it  you  to  give  me  leave 
to  be  at  that  jousts.  With  right  good  will,  said  Arthur  ; 
for  Sir  Galahalt,  the  haut  prince,  shall  have  you  in 
governance.  Sir,  said  Galahalt,  I  will  as  ye  will.  Sir, 
then  the  queen,  I  will  take  with  me  [Sir  Launcelot]  and 
such  knights  as  please  me  best.  Do  as  ye  list,  said  King 
Arthur.  So  anon  she  commanded  Sir  Launcelot  to  make 
him  ready  with  such  knights  as  he  thought  best. 

So  in  every  good  town  and  castle  of  this  land  was 
made  a  cry,  that  in  the  country  of  Surluse  Sir  Galahalt 
should  make  a  joust  that  should  last  eight  days,  and  how 
the  haut  prince,  with  the  help  of  Queen  Guenever' s 
knights,  should  joust  against  all  manner  of  men  that 
would  come.  When  this  cry  was  known,  kings  and 
princes,  dukes  and  earls,  barons  and  noble  knights,  made 
them  ready  to  be  at  that  jousts.  And  at  the  day  of 
jousting  there  came  in  Sir  Dinadan  disguised,  and  did 
many  great  deeds  of  arms. 


CHAPTER  XLI 

How  Sir  Launcelot  fought  in  the  tournament,  and  how  Sir 
Palomides  did  arms  there  for  a  damosel. 

THEN  at  the  request  of  Queen  Guenever  and  of  King 
Bagdemagus  Sir  Launcelot  came  into  the  range,  but  he 
was  disguised,  and  that  was  the  cause  that  few  folk  knew 
him  ;  and  there  met  with  him  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  his 
own  brother,  and  either  brake  their  spears  upon  other  to 
their  hands.  And  then  either  gat  another  spear.  And 
then  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  his 
own  brother.  That  saw  Sir  Bleoberis,  and  he  smote  Sir 
Launcelot  such  a  buffet  upon  the  helm  that  he  wist  not 
well  where  he  was.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  was  wroth,  and 
smote  Sir  Bleoberis  so  sore  upon  the  helm  that  his  head 
bowed  down  backward.  And  he  smote  eft  another  buffet, 


CH.  XLI    OF  THE  GREAT  JOUSTS  IN  SURLUSE       75 

that  he  avoided  his  saddle ;  and  so  he  rode  by,  and  thrust 
forth  to  the  thickest.  When  the  King  of  Northgalis  saw 
Sir  Ector  and  Bleoberis  lie  on  the  ground  then  was  he 
wroth,  for  they  came  on  his  party  against  them  of  Surluse. 
So  the  King  of  Northgalis  ran  to  Sir  Launcelot,  and  brake 
a  spear  upon  him  all  to  pieces.  Therewith  Sir  Launcelot 
overtook  the  King  of  Northgalis,  and  smote  him  such  a 
buffet  on  the  helm  with  his  sword  that  he  made  him  to 
avoid  his  horse  ;  and  anon  the  king  was  horsed  again. 
So  both  the  King  Bagdemagus'  and  the  King  of  North- 
galis' party  hurled  to  other  ;  and  then  began  a  strong 
medley,  but  they  of  Northgalis  were  far  bigger. 

When  Sir  Launcelot  saw  his  party  go  to  the  worst  he 
thrang  into  the  thickest  press  with  a  sword  in  his  hand  ; 
and  there  he  smote  down  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the 
left  hand,  and  pulled  down  knights  and  raced  off  their 
helms,  that  all  men  had  wonder  that  ever  one  knight 
might  do  such  deeds  of  arms.  When  Sir  Meliagaunce, 
that  was  son  unto  King  Bagdemagus,  saw  how  Sir 
Launcelot  fared  he  marvelled  greatly.  And  when  he 
understood  that  it  was  he,  he  wist  well  that  he  was 
disguised  for  his  sake.  Then  Sir  Meliagaunce  prayed  a 
knight  to  slay  Sir  Launcelot's  horse,  either  with  sword  or 
with  spear.  At  that  time  King  Bagdemagus  met  with  a 
knight  that  hight  Sauseise,  a  good  knight,  to  whom  he  said : 
Now  fair  Sauseise,  encounter  with  my  son  Meliagaunce 
and  give  him  large  payment,  for  I  would  he  were  well 
beaten  of  thy  hands,  that  he  might  depart  out  of  this  field. 
And  then  Sir  Sauseise  encountered  with  Sir  Meliagaunce, 
and  either  smote  other  down.  And  then  they  fought  on 
foot,  and  there  Sauseise  had  won  Sir  Meliagaunce,  had 
there  not  come  rescues.  So  then  the  haut  prince  blew  to 
lodging,  and  every  knight  unarmed  him  and  went  to  the 
great  feast. 

Then  in  the  meanwhile  there  came  a  damosel  to  the 
haut  prince,  and  complained  that  there  was  a  knight  that 
hight  Goneries  that  withheld  her  all  her  lands.  Then  the 
knight  was  there  present,  and  cast  his  glove  to  her  or  to 
any  that  would  fight  in  her  name.  So  the  damosel  took 


76  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

up  the  glove  all  heavily  for  default  of  a  champion.  Then 
there  came  a  varlet  to  her  and  said  :  Damosel,  will  ye  do 
after  me  ?  Full  fain,  said  the  damosel.  Then  go  you  unto 
such  a  knight  that  lieth  here  beside  in  an  hermitage,  and 
that  followeth  the  Questing  Beast,  and  pray  him  to  take 
the  battle  upon  him,  and  anon  I  wot  well  he  will  grant 
you. 

So  anon  she  took  her  palfrey,  and  within  a  while  she 
found  that  knight,  that  was  Sir  Palomides.  And  when 
she  required  him  he  armed  him  and  rode  with  her,  and 
made  her  to  go  to  the  haut  prince,  and  to  ask  leave  for 
her  knight  to  do  battle.  I  will  well,  said  the  haut  prince. 
Then  the  knights  were  ready  in  the  field  to  joust  on 
horseback ;  and  either  gat  a  spear  in  their  hands,  and 
met  so  fiercely  together  that  their  spears  all  to-shivered. 
Then  they  flang  out  swords,  and  Sir  Palomides  smote  Sir 
Goneries  down  to  the  earth.  And  then  he  raced  off  his 
helm  and  smote  off  his  head.  Then  they  went  to  supper, 
and  the  damosel  loved  Palomides  as  paramour,  but  the 
book  saith  she  was  of  his  kin.  So  then  Palomides  dis- 
guised himself  in  this  manner,  in  his  shield  he  bare  the 
Questing  Beast,  and  in  all  his  trappings.  And  when  he 
was  thus  ready,  he  sent  to  the  haut  prince  to  give  him 
leave  to  joust  with  other  knights,  but  he  was  adoubted  of 
Sir  Launcelot.  The  haut  prince  sent  him  word  again  that 
he  should  be  welcome,  and  that  Sir  Launcelot  should  not 
joust  with  him.  Then  Sir  Galahalt,  the  haut  prince,  let 
cry  what  knight  somever  he  were  that  smote  down  Sir 
Palomides  should  have  his  damosel  to  himself. 


CHAPTER  XLII 

How  Sir  Galahalt  and  Palomides  fought  together •,  and  of  Sir 
Dinadan  and  Sir  Galahalt. 

HERE  beginneth  the  second  day.     Anon  as  Sir  Palomides 
came  into  the  field,  Sir  Galahalt,  the  haut  prince,  was  at  the 


CH.  XLII    OF  SIR  GALAHALT  AND  PALOMIDES      77 

range  end,  and  met  with  Sir  Palomides,  and  he  with  him, 
with  great  spears.  And  then  they  came  so  hard  together 
that  their  spears  all  to-shivered,  but  Sir  Galahalt  smote 
him  so  hard  that  he  bare  him  backward  over  his  horse, 
but  yet  he  lost  not  his  stirrups.  Then  they  drew  their 
swords  and  lashed  together  many  sad  strokes,  that  many 
worshipful  knights  left  their  business  to  behold  them. 
But  at  the  last  Sir  Galahalt,  the  haut  prince,  smote  a 
stroke  of  might  unto  Palomides,  sore  upon  the  helm ;  but 
the  helm  was  so  hard  that  the  sword  might  not  bite,  but 
slipped  and  smote  off  the  head  of  the  horse  of  Sir  Palo- 
mides. When  the  haut  prince  wist  and  saw  the  good 
knight  fall  unto  the  earth  he  was  ashamed  of  that  stroke. 
And  therewith  he  alighted  down  off  his  own  horse,  and 
prayed  the  good  knight,  Palomides,  to  take  that  horse  of 
his  gift,  and  to  forgive  him  that  deed.  Sir,  said  Palomides, 
I  thank  you  of  your  great  goodness,  for  ever  of  a  man  of 
worship  a  knight  shall  never  have  disworship  ;  and  so  he 
mounted  upon  that  horse,  and  the  haut  prince  had  another 
anon.  Now,  said  the  haut  prince,  I  release  to  you  that 
maiden,  for  ye  have  won  her.  Ah,  said  Palomides,  the 
damosel  and  I  be  at  your  commandment. 

So  they  departed,  and  Sir  Galahalt  did  great  deeds  of 
arms.  And  right  so  came  Dinadan  and  encountered  with 
Sir  Galahalt,  and  either  came  to  other  so  fast  with  their 
spears  that  their  spears  brake  to  their  hands.  But 
Dinadan  had  weened  the  haut  prince  had  been  more  weary 
than  he  was.  And  then  he  smote  many  sad  strokes  at  the 
haut  prince  ;  but  when  Dinadan  saw  he  might  not  get 
him  to  the  earth  he  said  :  My  lord,  I  pray  you  leave  me, 
and  take  another.  The  haut  prince  knew  not  Dinadan, 
and  left  goodly  for  his  fair  words.  And  so  they  departed ; 
but  soon  there  came  another  and  told  the  haut  prince 
that  it  was  Dinadan.  Forsooth,  said  the  prince,  therefore 
am  I  heavy  that  he  is  so  escaped  from  me,  for  with  his 
mocks  and  japes  now  shall  I  never  have  done  with  him. 
And  then  Galahalt  rode  fast  after  him,  and  bade  him  : 
Abide,  Dinadan,  for  King  Arthur's  sake.  Nay,  said 
Dinadan,  so  God  me  help,  we  meet  no  more  together  this 


78  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  .x 

day.  Then  in  that  wrath  the  haut  prince  met  with  Melia- 
gaunce,  and  he  smote  him  in  the  throat  that  an  he  had 
fallen  his  neck  had  broken  ;  and  with  the  same  spear  he 
smote  down  another  knight.  Then  came  in  they  of 
Northgalis  and  many  strangers,  and  were  like  to  have  put 
them  of  Surluse  to  the  worse,  for  Sir  Galahalt,  the  haut 
prince,  had  ever  much  in  hand.  So  there  came  the  good 
knight,  Semound  the  Valiant,  with  forty  knights,  and  he 
beat  them  all  aback.  Then  the  Queen  Guenever  and  Sir 
Launcelot  let  blow  to  lodging,  and  every  knight  unarmed 
him,  and  dressed  him  to  the  feast. 


CHAPTER   XLIII 

How  Sir  Archade  appealed  Sir  Palomides  of  treason,  and 
how  Sir  Palomides  slew  him. 

WHEN  Palomides  was  unarmed  he  asked  lodging  for 
himself  and  the  damosel.  Anon  the  haut  prince  com- 
manded them  to  lodging.  And  he  was  not  so  soon  in  his 
lodging  but  there  came  a  knight  that  hight  Archade,  he 
was  brother  unto  Goneries  that  Palomides  slew  afore  in 
the  damosel's  quarrel.  And  this  knight,  Archade,  called 
Sir  Palomides  traitor,  and  appealed  him  for  the  death  of 
his  brother.  By  the  leave  of  the  haut  prince,  said  Palo- 
mides, I  shall  answer  thee.  When  Sir  Galahalt  under- 
stood their  quarrel  he  bade  them  go  to  dinner  :  And  as 
soon  as  ye  have  dined  look  that  either  knight  be  ready  in 
the  field.  So  when  they  had  dined  they  were  armed  both, 
and  took  their  horses,  and  the  queen,  and  the  prince,  and 
Sir  Launcelot,  were  set  to  behold  them  ;  and  so  they  let 
run  their  horses,  and  there  Sir  Palomides  bare  Archade 
on  his  spear  over  his  horse's  tail.  And  then  Palomides 
alighted  and  drew  his  sword,  but  Sir  Archade  might  not 
arise  ;  and  there  Sir  Palomides  raced  off  his  helm,  and 
smote  off  his  head.  Then  the  haut  prince  and  Queen 
Guenever  went  unto  supper.  Then  King  Bagdemagus 


CH.  XLIV    OF  THE  THIRD  DAY  OF  JOUSTING       79 

sent  away  his   son    Meliagaunce    because   Sir   Launcelot 
should  not  meet  with  him,  for  he  hated  Sir  Launcelot 
and  that  knew  he  not. 


CHAPTER   XLIV 

Of  the  third  day,  and  how  Sir  Palomides  jousted  with  Sir 
Lamorak,  and  other  things. 

Now  beginneth  the  third  day  of  jousting  ;  and  at  that 
day  King  Bagdemagus  made  him  ready  ;  and  there  came 
against  him  King  Marsil,  that  had  in  gift  an  island  of  Sir 
Galahalt  the  haut  prince  ;  and  this  island  had  the  name 
Pomitain.  Then  it  befell  that  King  Bagdemagus  and 
King  Marsil  of  Pomitain  met  together  with  spears,  and 
King  Marsil  had  such  a  buffet  that  he  fell  over  his  horse's 
croup.  Then  came  there  in  a  knight  of  King  Marsil  to 
revenge  his  lord,  and  King  Bagdemagus  smote  him  down, 
horse  and  man,  to  the  earth.  So  there  came  an  earl  that 
hight  Arrouse,  and  Sir  Breuse,  and  an  hundred  knights 
with  them  of  Pomitain,  and  the  King  of  Northgalis  was 
with  them  ;  and  all  these  were  against  them  of  Surluse. 
And  then  there  began  great  battle,  and  many  knights 
were  cast  under  horses'  feet.  And  ever  King  Bagdemagus 
did  best,  for  he  first  began,  and  ever  he  held  on.  Gaheris, 
Gawaine's  brother,  smote  ever  at  the  face  of  King  Bag- 
demagus ;  and  at  the  last  King  Bagdemagus  hurtled  down 
Gaheris,  horse  and  man. 

Then  by  adventure  Sir  Palomides,  the  good  knight, 
met  with  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis,  Sir  Bleoberis'  brother. 
And  either  smote  other  with  great  spears,  that  both  their 
horses  and  knights  fell  to  the  earth.  But  Sir  Blamore 
had  such  a  fall  that  he  had  almost  broken  his  neck,  for 
the  blood  brast  out  at  nose,  mouth,  and  his  ears,  but  at 
the  last  he  recovered  well  by  good  surgeons.  Then  there 
came  in  the  Duke  Chaleins  of  Clarance  ;  and  in  his 
governance  there  came  a  knight  that  hight  Elis  la  Noire  ; 


8o  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

and  there  encountered  with  him  King  Bagdemagus,  and 
he  smote  Elis  that  he  made  him  to  avoid  his  saddle.  So 
the  Duke  Chaleins  of  Clarance  did  there  great  deeds  of 
arms,  and  of  so  late  as  he  came  in  the  third  day  there  was 
no  man  did  so  well  except  King  Bagdemagus  and  Sir 
Palomides,  that  the  prize  was  given  that  day  to  King 
Bagdemagus.  And  then  they  blew  unto  lodging,  and 
unarmed  them,  and  went  to  the  feast.  Right  so  came 
Dinadan,  and  mocked  and  japed  with  King  Bagdemagus 
that  all  knights  laughed  at  him,  for  he  was  a  fine  japer, 
and  well  loving  all  good  knights. 

So  anon  as  they  had  dined  there  came  a  varlet  bearing 
four  spears  on  his  back  ;  and  he  came  to  Palomides,  and 
said  thus  :  Here  is  a  knight  by  hath  sent  you  the  choice 
of  four  spears,  and  requireth  you  for  your  lady's  sake  to 
take  that  one  half  of  these  spears,  and  joust  with  him  in 
the  field.  Tell  him,  said  Palomides,  I  will  not  fail  him. 
When  Sir  Galahalt  wist  of  this,  he  bade  Palomides  make 
him  ready.  So  the  Queen  Guenever,  the  haut  prince,  and 
Sir  Launcelot,  they  were  set  upon  scaffolds  to  give  the 
judgment  of  these  two  knights.  Then  Sir  Palomides  and 
the  strange  knight  ran  so  eagerly  together  that  their 
spears  brake  to  their  hands.  Anon  withal  either  of 
them  took  a  great  spear  in  his  hand  and  all  to-shivered 
them  in  pieces.  And  then  either  took  a  greater  spear, 
and  then  the  knight  smote  down  Sir  Palomides,  horse  and 
man,  to  the  earth.  And  as  he  would  have  passed  over 
him  the  strange  knight's  horse  stumbled  and  fell  down 
upon  Palomides.  Then  they  drew  their  swords  and  lashed 
together  wonderly  sore  a  great  while. 

Then  the  haut  prince  and  Sir  Launcelot  said  they  saw 
never  two  knights  fight  better  than  they  did  ;  but  ever 
the  strange  knight  doubled  his  strokes,  and  put  Palomides 
aback  ;  therewithal  the  haut  prince  cried  :  Ho  :  and  then 
they  went  to  lodging.  And  when  they  were  unarmed 
they  knew  it  was  the  noble  knight  Sir  Lamorak.  When 
Sir  Launcelot  knew  that  it  was  Sir  Lamorak  he  made 
much  of  him,  for  above  all  earthly  men  he  loved  him  best 
except  Sir  Tristram.  Then  Queen  Guenever  commended 


CH.XLV  OF  THE  FOURTH  DAY  OF  JOUSTING      81 

him,  and  so  did  all  other  good  knights  make  much  of  him, 
except  Sir  Gawaine's  brethren.  Then  Queen  Guenever 
said  unto  Sir  Launcelot :  Sir,  I  require  you  that  an  ye 
joust  any  more,  that  ye  joust  with  none  of  the  blood 
of  my  lord  Arthur.  So  he  promised  he  would  not  as  at 
that  time, 


CHAPTER   XLV 

Of  the  fourth  day,  and  of  many  great  feats  of  arms. 

HERE  beginneth  the  fourth  day.  Then  came  into  the 
field  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights,  and  all  they  of 
Northgalis,  and  the  Duke  Chaleins  of  Clarance,  and  King 
Marsil  of  Pomitain,  and  there  came  Safere,  Palomides' 
brother,  and  there  he  told  him  tidings  of  his  mother. 
And  his  name  was  called  the  Earl,  and  so  he  appealed 
him  afore  King  Arthur  :  For  he  made  war  upon  our 
father  and  mother,  and  there  I  slew  him  in  plain  battle. 
So  they  went  into  the  field,  and  the  damosel  with  them ; 
and  there  came  to  encounter  again  them  Sir  Bleoberis  de 
Ganis,  and  Sir  Ector  de  Maris.  Sir  Palomides  encountered 
with  Sir  Bleoberis,  and  either  smote  other  down.  And  in 
the  same  wise  did  Sir  Safere  and  Sir  Ector,  and  the  two 
couples  did  battle  on  foot.  Then  came  in  Sir  Lamorak, 
and  he  encountered  with  the  King  with  the  Hundred 
Knights,  and  smote  him  quite  over  his  horse's  tail.  And 
in  the  same  wise  he  served  the  King  of  Northgalis,  and 
also  he  smote  down  King  Marsil.  And  so  or  ever  he 
stint  he  smote  down  with  his  spear  and  with  his  sword 
thirty  knights.  When  Duke  Chaleins  saw  Lamorak  do 
so  great  prowess  he  would  not  meddle  with  him  for 
shame  ;  and  then  he  charged  all  his  knights  in  pain  of 
death  that  none  of  you  touch  him ;  for  it  were  shame  to 
all  good  knights  an  that  knight  were  shamed. 

Then  the  two  kings  gathered  them  together,  and  all 
they  set  upon  Sir  Lamorak  ;  and  he  failed  them  not,  but 
rushed  here  and  there,  smiting  on  the  right  hand  and  on 

VOL.   II  G 


82  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

the  left,  and  raced  off  many  helms,  so  that  the  haut 
prince  and  Queen  Guenever  said  they  saw  never  knight 
do  such  deeds  of  arms  on  horseback.  Alas,  said  Launce- 
lot  to  King  Bagdemagus,  I  will  arm  me  and  help  Sir 
Lamorak.  And  I  will  ride  with  you,  said  King  Bagde- 
magus. And  when  they  two  were  horsed  they  came  to 
Sir  Lamorak  that  stood  among  thirty  knights  ;  and  well 
was  him  that  might  reach  him  a  buffet,  and  ever  he  smote 
again  mightily.  Then  came  there  into  the  press  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  he  threw  down  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte. 
And  with  the  truncheon  of  that  spear  he  threw  down 
many  knights.  And  King  Bagdemagus  smote  on  the  left 
hand  and  on  the  right  hand  marvellously  well.  And  then 
the  three  kings  fled  aback.  Therewithal  then  Sir  Galahalt 
let  blow  to  lodging,  and  all  the  heralds  gave  Sir  Lamorak 
the  prize.  And  all  this  while  fought  Palomides,  Sir 
Bleoberis,  Sir  Safere,  Sir  Ector  on  foot ;  never  were  there 
four  knights  evener  matched.  And  then  they  were  de- 
parted, and  had  unto  their  lodging,  and  unarmed  them, 
and  so  they  went  to  the  great  feast. 

But  when  Sir  Lamorak  was  come  into  the  court  Queen 
Guenever  took  him  in  her  arms  and  said  :  Sir,  well  have 
ye  done  this  day.  Then  came  the  haut  prince,  and  he 
made  of  him  great  joy,  and  so  did  Dinadan,  for  he  wept 
for  joy ;  but  the  joy  that  Sir  Launcelot  made  of  Sir 
Lamorak  there  might  no  man  tell.  Then  they  went  unto 
rest,  and  on  the  morn  the  haut  prince  let  blow  unto  the 
field. 


CHAPTER   XLVI 

Of  the  fifth  day^  and  how  Sir  Lamorak  behaved  him. 

HERE  beginneth  the  fifth  day.  So  it  befell  that  Sir  Palo- 
mides came  in  the  morntide,  and  proffered  to  joust  thereas 
King  Arthur  was  in  a  castle  there  besides  Surluse  ;  and 
there  encountered  with  him  a  worshipful  duke,  and  there 
Sir  Palomides  smote  him  over  his  horse's  croup.  And 


CH.  XLVI    OF  THE  FIFTH  DAY  OF  JOUSTING         83 

this  duke  was  uncle  unto  King  Arthur.  Then  Sir  Elise's 
son  rode  unto  Palomides,  and  Palomides  served  Elise  in 
the  same  wise.  When  Sir  Uwaine  saw  this  he  was  wroth. 
Then  he  took  his  horse  and  encountered  with  Sir  Palo- 
mides, and  Palomides  smote  him  so  hard  that  he  went  to 
the  earth,  horse  and  man.  And  for  to  make  a  short  tale, 
he  smote  down  three  brethren  of  Sir  Gawaine,  that  is  for 
to  say  Mordred,  Gaheris,  and  Agravaine.  O  Jesu,  said 
Arthur,  this  is  a  great  despite  of  a  Saracen  that  he  shall 
smite  down  my  blood.  And  therewithal  King  Arthur 
was  wood  wroth,  and  thought  to  have  made  him  ready  to 
joust. 

That  espied  Sir  Lamorak,  that  Arthur  and  his  blood 
were  discomfit ;  and  anon  he  was  ready,  and  asked  Palo- 
mides if  he  would  any  more  joust.  Why  should  I  not  ? 
said  Palomides.  Then  they  hurtled  together,  and  brake 
their  spears,  and  all  to-shivered  them,  that  all  the  castle 
rang  of  their  dints.  Then  either  gat  a  greater  spear  in 
his  hand,  and  they  came  so  fiercely  together  ;  but  Sir 
Palomides'  spear  all  to-brast  and  Sir  Lamorak's  did  hold. 
Therewithal  Sir  Palomides  lost  his  stirrups  and  lay  up- 
right on  his  horse's  back.  And  then  Sir  Palomides  re- 
turned again  and  took  his  damosel,  and  Sir  Safere  returned 
his  way. 

So,  when  he  was  departed,  King  Arthur  came  to  Sir 
Lamorak  and  thanked  him  of  his  goodness,  and  prayed 
him  to  tell  him  his  name.  Sir,  said  Lamorak,  wit  thou 
well,  I  owe  you  my  service,  but  as  at  this  time  I  will  not 
abide  here,  for  I  see  of  mine  enemies  many  about  me. 
Alas,  said  Arthur,-  now  wot  I  well  it  is  Sir  Lamorak  de 
Galis.  O  Lamorak,  abide  with  me,  and  by  my  crown 
I  shall  never  fail  thee  :  and  not  so  hardy  in  Gawaine's 
head,  nor  none  of  his  brethren,  to  do  thee  any  wrong. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  wrong  have  they  done  me,  and  to 
you  both.  That  is  truth,  said  the  king,  for  they  slew 
their  own  mother  and  my  sister,  the  which  me  sore 
grieveth  :  it  had  been  much  fairer  and  better  that  ye 
had  wedded  her,  for  ye  are  a  king's  son  as  well  as  they. 
O  Jesu,  said  the  noble  knight  Sir  Lamorak  unto  Arthur, 


84  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

her  death  shall  I  never  forget.  I  promise  you,  and  make 
mine  avow  unto  God,  I  shall  revenge  her  death  as  soon  as 
I  see  time  convenable.  And  if  it  were  not  at  the  rever- 
ence of  your  highness  I  should  now  have  been  revenged 
upon  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren.  Truly,  said  Arthur, 
I  will  make  you  at  accord.  Sir,  said  Lamorak,  as  at  this 
time  I  may  not  abide  with  you,  for  I  must  to  the  jousts, 
where  is  Sir  Launcelot,  and  the  haut  prince  Sir  Galahalt. 

Then  there  was  a  damosel  that  was  daughter  to  King 
Bandes.  And  there  was  a  Saracen  knight  that  hight 
Corsabrin,  and  he  loved  the  damosel,  and  in  no  wise  he 
would  suffer  her  to  be  married  ;  for  ever  this  Corsabrin 
noised  her,  and  named  her  that  she  was  out  of  her  mind  ; 
and  thus  he  let  her  that  she  might  not  be  married. 


CHAPTER    XLVII 

How  Sir  Palomides  fought  with  Corsabrin  for  a  lady,  and 
how  Palomides  slew  Corsabrin. 

So  by  fortune  this  damosel  heard  tell  that  Palomides  did 
much  for  damosels'  sake  ;  so  she  sent  to  him  a  pensel, 
and  prayed  him  to  fight  with  Sir  Corsabrin  for  her  love, 
and  he  should  have  her  and  her  lands  of  her  father's 
that  should  fall  to  her.  Then  the  damosel  sent  unto 
Corsabrin,  and  bade  him  go  unto  Sir  Palomides  that  was 
a  paynim  as  well  as  he,  and  she  gave  him  warning  that 
she  had  sent  him  her  pensel,  and  if  he  might  overcome 
Palomides  she  would  wed  him.  When  Corsabrin  wist 
of  her  deeds  then  was  he  wood  wroth  and  angry,  and 
rode  unto  Surluse  where  the  haut  prince  was,  and  there  he 
found  Sir  Palomides  ready,  the  which  had  the  pensel. 
So  there  they  waged  battle  either  with  other  afore 
Galahalt.  Well,  said  the  haut  prince,  this  day  must 
noble  knights  joust,  and  at-after  dinner  we  shall  see  how 
ye  can  speed. 

Then   they  blew  to  jousts  ;    and  in   came    Dinadan, 


CH.  XLVII    OF  PALOMIDES  AND  CORSABRIN  85 

and  met  with  Sir  Gerin,  a  good  knight,  and  he  threw 
him  down  over  his  horse's  croup  ;  and  Sir  Dinadan  over- 
threw four  knights  more ;  and  there  he  did  great  deeds 
of  arms,  for  he  was  a  good  knight,  but  he  was  a  scoffer 
and  a  japer,  and  the  merriest  knight  among  fellowship 
that  was  that  time  living.  And  he  had  such  a  custom 
that  he  loved  every  good  knight,  and  every  good  knight 
loved  him  again.  So  then  when  the  haut  prince  saw 
Dinadan  do  so  well,  he  sent  unto  Sir  Launcelot  and  bade 
him  strike  down  Sir  Dinadan  :  And  when  that  ye  have 
done  so  bring  him  afore  me  and  the  noble  Queen 
Guenever.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  did  as  he  was  required. 
Then  Sir  Lamorak  and  he  smote  down  many  knights, 
and  raced  off  helms,  and  drove  all  the  knights  afore 
them.  And  so  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down  Sir  Dinadan, 
and  made  his  men  to  unarm  him,  and  so  brought  him  to 
the  queen  and  the  haut  prince,  and  they  laughed  at 
Dinadan  so  sore  that  they  might  not  stand.  Well,  said 
Sir  Dinadan,  yet  have  I  no  shame,  for  the  old  shrew,  Sir 
Launcelot,  smote  me  down.  So  they  went  to  dinner,  [and] 
all  the  court  had  good  sport  at  Dinadan. 

Then  when  the  dinner  was  done  they  blew  to  the 
field  to  behold  Sir  Palomides  and  Corsabrin.  Sir  Palo- 
mides  pight  his  pensel  in  midst  of  the  field  ;  and  then  they 
hurtled  together  with  their  spears  as  it  were  thunder,  and 
either  smote  other  to  the  earth.  And  then  they  pulled 
out  their  swords,  and  dressed  their  shields,  and  lashed 
together  mightily  as  mighty  knights,  that  well-nigh  there 
was  no  piece  of  harness  would  hold  them,  for  this  Cor- 
sabrin was  a  passing  felonious  knight.  Corsabrin,  said 
Palomides,  wilt  thou  release  me  yonder  damosel  and  the 
pensel  ?  Then  was  Corsabrin  wroth  out  of  measure,  and 
gave  Palomides  such  a  buffet  that  he  kneeled  on  his  knee. 
Then  Palomides  arose  lightly,  and  smote  him  upon  the 
helm  that  he  fell  down  right  to  the  earth.  And  therewith 
he  raced  off"  his  helm  and  said  :  Corsabrin,  yield  thee 
or  else  thou  shalt  die  of  my  hands.  Fie  on  thee,  said 
Corsabrin,  do  thy  worst.  Then  he  smote  off  his  head. 
And  therewithal  came  a  stink  of  his  body  when  the  soul 


86  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

departed,  that  there  might  nobody  abide  the  savour.  So 
was  the  corpse  had  away  and  buried  in  a  wood,  because 
he  was  a  paynim.  Then  they  blew  unto  lodging,  and 
Palomides  was  unarmed. 

Then  he  went  unto  Queen  Guenever,  to  the  haut 
prince,  and  to  Sir  Launcelot.  Sir,  said  the  haut  prince, 
here  have  ye  seen  this  day  a  great  miracle  by  Corsabrin, 
what  savour  there  was  when  the  soul  departed  from  the 
body.  Therefore,  sir,  we  will  require  you  to  take  the 
baptism  upon  you,  and  I  promise  you  all  knights  will  set 
the  more  by  you,  and  say  more  worship  by  you.  Sir, 
said  Palomides,  I  will  that  ye  all  know  that  into  this  land 
I  came  to  be  christened,  and  in  my  heart  I  am  christened, 
and  christened  will  I  be.  But  I  have  made  such  an  avow 
that  I  may  not  be  christened  till  I  have  done  seven  true 
battles  for  Jesu's  sake,  and  then  will  I  be  christened  ;  and 
I  trust  God  will  take  mine  intent,  for  I  mean  truly. 
Then  Sir  Palomides  prayed  Queen  Guenever  and  the 
haut  prince  to  sup  with  him.  And  so  they  did,  both  Sir 
Launcelot  and  Sir  Lamorak,  and  many  other  good  knights. 
So  on  the  morn  they  heard  their  mass,  and  blew  the  field, 
and  then  knights  made  them  ready. 


CHAPTER   XLVIII 

Of  the  sixth  day^  and  what  then  was  done. 

HERE  beginneth  the  sixth  day.  Then  came  therein  Sir 
Gaheris,  and  there  encountered  with  him  Sir  Ossaise  of 
Surluse,  and  Sir  Gaheris  smote  him  over  his  horse's  croup. 
And  then  either  party  encountered  with  other,  and  there 
were  many  spears  broken,  and  many  knights  cast  under 
feet.  So  there  came  in  Sir  Bernard  and  Sir  Aglovale, 
that  were  brethren  unto  Sir  Lamorak,  and  they  met  with 
other  two  knights,  and  either  smote  other  so  hard  that 
all  four  knights  and  horses  fell  to  the  earth.  When  Sir 
Lamorak  saw  his  two  brethren  down  he  was  wroth  out  of 


CH.  XL vin   OF  THE  SIXTH  DAY  OF  JOUSTING      87 

measure,  and  then  he  gat  a  great  spear  in  his  hand,  and 
therewithal  he  smote  down  four  good  knights,  and  then 
his  spear  brake.  Then  he  pulled  out  his  sword,  and 
smote  about  him  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand, 
and  raced  off  helms  and  pulled  down  knights,  that  all 
men  marvelled  of  such  deeds  of  arms  as  he  did,  for  he 
fared  so  that  many  knights  fled.  Then  he  horsed  his 
brethren  again,  and  said :  Brethren,  ye  ought  to  be 
ashamed  to  fall  so  off  your  horses  !  what  is  a  knight 
but  when  he  is  on  horseback  ?  I  set  not  by  a  knight 
when  he  is  on  foot,  for  all  battles  on  foot  are  but  pillers' 
battles.  For  there  should  no  knight  fight  on  foot  but 
if  it  were  for  treason,  or  else  he  were  driven  thereto  by 
force  ;  therefore,  brethren,  sit  fast  on  your  horses,  or  else 
fight  never  more  afore  me. 

With  that  came  in  the  Duke  Chaleins  of  Clarance, 
and  there  encountered  with  him  the  Earl  Ulbawes  of 
Surluse,  and  either  of  them  smote  other  down.  Then 
the  knights  of  both  parties  horsed  their  lords  again,  for 
Sir  Ector  and  Bleoberis  were  on  foot,  waiting  on  the 
Duke  Chaleins.  And  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights 
was  with  the  Earl  of  Ulbawes.  With  that  came  Gaheris 
and  lashed  to  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights,  and 
he  to  him  again.  Then  came  the  Duke  Chaleins  and 
departed  them. 

Then  they  blew  to  lodging,  and  the  knights  unarmed 
them  and  drew  them  to  their  dinner  ;  and  at  the  midst 
of  their  dinner  in  came  Dinadan  and  began  to  rail.  Then 
he  beheld  the  haut  prince,  that  seemed  wroth  with  some 
fault  that  he  saw  ;  for  he  had  a  custom  he  loved  no  fish, 
and  because  he  was  served  with  fish,  the  which  he  hated, 
therefore  he  was  not  merry.  When  Sir  Dinadan  had 
espied  the  haut  prince,  he  espied  where  was  a  fish  with  a 
great  head,  and  that  he  gat  betwixt  two  dishes,  and 
served  the  haut  prince  with  that  fish.  And  then  he  said 
thus  :  Sir  Galahalt,  well  may  I  liken  you  to  a  wolf,  for 
he  will  never  eat  fish,  but  flesh  ;  then  the  haut  prince 
laughed  at  his  words.  Well,  well,  said  Dinadan  to 
Launcelot,  what  devil  do  ye  in  this  country,  for  here  may 


88  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

no  mean  knights  win  no  worship  for  thee.  Sir  Dinadan, 
said  Launcelot,  I  ensure  thee  I  shall  no  more  meet  with 
thee  nor  with  thy  great  spear,  for  I  may  not  sit  in  my 
saddle  when  that  spear  hitteth  me.  And  if  I  be  happy  I 
shall  beware  of  that  boistous  body  that  thou  bearest. 
Well,  said  Launcelot,  make  good  watch  ever :  God 
forbid  that  ever  we  meet  but  if  it  be  at  a  dish  of  meat. 
Then  laughed  the  queen  and  the  haut  prince,  that  they 
might  not  sit  at  their  table  ;  thus  they  made  great  joy 
till  on  the  morn,  and  then  they  heard  mass,  and  blew  to 
field.  And  Queen  Guenever  and  all  the  estates  were  set, 
and  judges  armed  clean  with  their  shields  to  keep  the 
right. 


CHAPTER    XLIX 

Of  the  seventh  battle,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot,  being  disguised 
like  a  maid,  smote  down  Sir  Dinadan. 

Now  beginneth  the  seventh  battle.  There  came  in  the 
Duke  Cambines,  and  there  encountered  with  him  Sir 
Aristance,  that  was  counted  a  good  knight,  and  they  met 
so  hard  that  either  bare  other  down,  horse  and  man.  Then 
came  there  the  Earl  of  Lambaile  and  helped  the  duke  again 
to  horse.  Then  came  there  Sir  Ossaise  of  Surluse,  and  he 
smote  the  Earl  Lambaile  down  from  his  horse.  Then 
began  they  to  do  great  deeds  of  arms,  and  many  spears 
were  broken,  and  many  knights  were  cast  to  the  earth. 
Then  the  King  of  Northgalis  and  the  Earl  Ulbawes 
smote  together  that  all  the  judges  thought  it  was  like 
mortal  death.  This  meanwhile  Queen  Guenever,  and  the 
haut  prince,  and  Sir  Launcelot,  made  there  Sir  Dinadan 
make  him  ready  to  joust.  I  would,  said  Dinadan,  ride 
into  the  field,  but  then  one  of  you  twain  will  meet  with  me. 
Per  dieu,  said  the  haut  prince,  ye  may  see  how  we  sit  here 
as  judges  with  our  shields,  and  always  mayest  thou  behold 
whether  we  sit  here  or  not. 

So  Sir  Dinadan  departed  and  took  his  horse,  and  met 


CH.XLIX    OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  DIN  AD  AN  89 

with  many  knights,  and  did  passing  well.  And  as  he  was 
departed,  Sir  Launcelot  disguised  himself,  and  put  upon 
his  armour  a  maiden's  garment  freshly  attired.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  made  Sir  Galihodin  to  lead  him  through  the 
range,  and  all  men  had  wonder  what  damosel  it  was.  And 
so  as  Sir  Dinadan  came  into  the  range,  Sir  Launcelot,  that 
was  in  the  damosel's  array,  gat  Galihodin's  spear,  and  ran 
unto  Sir  Dinadan.  And  always  Sir  Dinadan  looked  up 
thereas  Sir  Launcelot  was,  and  then  he  saw  one  sit  in  the 
stead  of  Sir  Launcelot,  armed.  But  when  Dinadan  saw  a 
manner  of  a  damosel  he  dread  perils  that  it  was  Sir  Launce- 
lot disguised,  but  Sir  Launcelot  came  on  him  so  fast  that 
he  smote  him  over  his  horse's  croup ;  and  then  with  great 
scorns  they  gat  Sir  Dinadan  into  the  forest  there  beside, 
and  there  they  dispoiled  him  unto  his  shirt,  and  put  upon 
him  a  woman's  garment,  and  so  brought  him  into  the 
field  :  and  so  they  blew  unto  lodging.  And  every  knight 
went  and  unarmed  them.  Then  was  Sir  Dinadan  brought 
in  among  them  all.  And  when  Queen  Guenever  saw  Sir 
Dinadan  brought  so  among  them  all,  then  she  laughed 
that  she  fell  down,  and  so  did  all  that  there  were.  Well, 
said  Dinadan  to  Launcelot,  thou  art  so  false  that  I  can 
never  beware  of  thee.  Then  by  all  the  assent  they  gave 
Sir  Launcelot  the  prize,  the  next  was  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis, 
the  third  was  Sir  Palomides,  the  fourth  was  King  Bagde- 
magus ;  so  these  four  knights  had  the  prize,  and  there  was 
great  joy,  and  great  nobley  in  all  the  court. 

And  on  the  morn  Queen  Guenever  and  Sir  Launcelot 
departed  unto  King  Arthur,  but  in  no  wise  Sir  Lamorak 
would  not  go  with  them.  I  shall  undertake,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  that  an  ye  will  go  with  us  King  Arthur  shall 
charge  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren  never  to  do  you  hurt. 
As  for  that,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  I  will  not  trust  Sir  Gawaine 
nor  none  of  his  brethren ;  and  wit  ye  well,  Sir  Launcelot, 
an  it  were  not  for  my  lord  King  Arthur's  sake,  I  should 
match  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren  well  enough.  But  to 
say  that  I  should  trust  them,  that  shall  I  never,  and  there- 
fore I  pray  you  recommend  me  unto  my  lord  Arthur,  and 
unto  all  my  lords  of  the  Round  Table.  And  in  what  place 


90  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

that  ever  I  come  I  shall  do  you  service  to  my  power :  and 
sir,  it  is  but  late  that  I  revenged  that,  when  my  lord 
Arthur's  kin  were  put  to  the  worse  by  Sir  Palomides. 
Then  Sir  Lamorak  departed  from  Sir  Launcelot,  and  either 
wept  at  their  departing. 


CHAPTER    L 

How  by  treason  Sir  Tristram  was  brought  to  a  tournament 
for  to  have  been  slain,  and  how  he  was  -put  in  prison. 

Now  turn  we  from  this  matter,  and  speak  we  of  Sir  Tris- 
tram, of  whom  this  book  is  principally  of,  and  leave  we 
the  king  and  the  queen,  Sir  Launcelot,  and  Sir  Lamorak,  and 
here  beginneth  the  treason  of  King  Mark,  that  he  ordained 
against  Sir  Tristram.  There  was  cried  by  the  coasts  of 
Cornwall  a  great  tournament  and  jousts,  and  all  was  done 
by  Sir  Galahalt  the  haut  prince  and  King  Bagdemagus,  to 
the  intent  to  slay  Launcelot,  or  else  utterly  destroy  him 
and  shame  him,  because  Sir  Launcelot  had  always  the 
higher  degree ;  therefore  this  prince  and  this  king  made 
this  jousts  against  Sir  Launcelot.  And  thus  their  counsel 
was  discovered  unto  King  Mark,  whereof  he  was  full 
glad. 

Then  King  Mark  bethought  him  that  he  would  have 
Sir  Tristram  unto  that  tournament  disguised  that  no  man 
should  know  him,  to  that  intent  that  the  haut  prince 
should  ween  that  Sir  Tristram  were  Sir  Launcelot.  So 
at  these  jousts  came  in  Sir  Tristram.  And  at  that  time  Sir 
Launcelot  was  not  there,  but  when  they  saw  a  knight  dis- 
guised do  such  deeds  of  arms,  they  weened  it  had  been  Sir 
Launcelot.  And  in  especial  King  Mark  said  it  was  Sir 
Launcelot  plainly.  Then  they  set  upon  him,  both  King 
Bagdemagus,  and  the  haut  prince,  and  their  knights,  that 
it  was  wonder  that  ever  Sir  Tristram  might  endure  that 
pain.  Notwithstanding  for  all  the  pain  that  he  had,  Sir 
Tristram  won  the  degree  at  that  tournament,  and  there 


CH.L   HOW  TRISTRAM  WAS  PUT  IN  PRISON       91 

he  hurt  many  knights  and  bruised  them,  and  they  hurt 
him  and  bruised  him  wonderly  sore.  So  when  the  jousts 
were  all  done  they  knew  well  that  it  was  Sir  Tristram  de 
Liones ;  and  all  that  were  on  King  Mark's  party  were  glad 
that  Sir  Tristram  was  hurt,  and  the  remnant  were  sorry  of 
his  hurt ;  for  Sir  Tristram  was  not  so  behated  as  was  Sir 
Launcelot  within  the  realm  of  England. 

Then  came  King  Mark  unto  Sir  Tristram  and  said : 
Fair  nephew,  I  am  sorry  of  your  hurts.  Gramercy  my 
lord,  said  Sir  Tristram.  Then  King  Mark  made  Sir 
Tristram  to  be  put  in  an  horse  bier  in  great  sign  of  love, 
and  said :  Fair  cousin,  I  shall  be  your  leech  myself.  And 
so  he  rode  forth  with  Sir  Tristram,  and  brought  him  to 
a  castle  by  daylight.  And  then  King  Mark  made  Sir 
Tristram  to  eat.  And  then  after  he  gave  him  a  drink,  the 
which  as  soon  as  he  had  drunk  he  fell  asleep.  And  when 
it  was  night  he  made  him  to  be  carried  to  another  castle, 
and  there  he  put  him  in  a  strong  prison,  and  there  he 
ordained  a  man  and  a  woman  to  give  him  his  meat  and 
drink.  So  there  he  was  a  great  while. 

Then  was  Sir  Tristram  missed,  and  no  creature  wist 
where  he  was  become.  When  La  Beale  Isoud  heard  how 
he  was  missed,  privily  she  went  unto  Sir  Sadok,  and  prayed 
him  to  espy  where  was  Sir  Tristram.  Then  when  Sadok 
wist  how  Sir  Tristram  was  missed,  and  anon  espied  that 
he  was  put  in  prison  by  King  Mark  and  the  traitors  of 
Magouns,  then  Sadok  and  two  of  his  cousins  laid  them  in 
an  ambushment,  fast  by  the  Castle  of  Tintagil,  in  arms. 
And  as  by  fortune,  there  came  riding  King  Mark  and  four 
of  his  nephews,  and  a  certain  of  the  traitors  of  Magouns. 
When  Sir  Sadok  espied  them  he  brake  out  of  the  bush- 
ment,  and  set  there  upon  them.  And  when  King  Mark 
espied  Sir  Sadok  he  fled  as  fast  as  he  might,  and  there  Sir 
Sadok  slew  all  the  four  nephews  unto  King  Mark.  But 
these  traitors  of  Magouns  slew  one  of  Sadok's  cousins  with 
a  great  wound  in  the  neck,  but  Sadok  smote  the  other  to 
the  death.  Then  Sir  Sadok  rode  upon  his  way  unto  a 
castle  that  was  called  Liones,  and  there  he  espied  of  the 
treason  and  felony  of  King  Mark.  So  they  of  that  castle 


91  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

rode  with  Sir  Sadok  till  that  they  came  to  a  castle  that 
hight  Arbray,  and  there  in  the  town  they  found  Sir  Dinas 
the  Seneschal,  that  was  a  good  knight.  But  when  Sir 
Sadok  had  told  Sir  Dinas  of  all  the  treason  of  King  Mark 
he  defied  such  a  king,  and  said  he  would  give  up  his  lands 
that  he  held  of  him.  And  when  he  said  these  words  all 
manner  knights  said  as  Sir  Dinas  said.  Then  by  his  advice, 
and  of  Sir  Sadok's,  he  let  stuff  all  the  towns  and  castles 
within  the  country  of  Liones,  and  assembled  all  the  people 
that  they  might  make. 


CHAPTER   LI 

How  King  Mark  let  do  counterfeit  letters  from  the  Pope,  and 
how  Sir  Per  civ  ale  delivered  Sir  Tristram  out  of  prison. 

Now  turn  we  unto  King  Mark,  that  when  he  was  escaped 
from  Sir  Sadok  he  rode  unto  the  Castle  of  Tintagil,  and 
there  he  made  great  cry  and  noise,  and  cried  unto  harness 
all  that  might  bear  arms.  Then  they  sought  and  found 
where  were  dead  four  cousins  of  King  Mark's,  and  the 
traitor  of  Magouns.  Then  the  king  let  inter  them  in  a 
chapel.  Then  the  king  let  cry  in  all  the  country  that  held 
of  him,  to  go  unto  arms,  for  he  understood  to  the  war  he 
must  needs.  When  King  Mark  heard  and  understood 
how  Sir  Sadok  and  Sir  Dinas  were  arisen  in  the  country  of 
Liones  he  remembered  of  wiles  and  treason.  Lo  thus  he 
did :  he  let  make  and  counterfeit  letters  from  the  Pope, 
and  did  make  a  strange  clerk  to  bear  them  unto  King 
Mark ;  the  which  letters  specified  that  King  Mark  should 
make  him  ready,  upon  pain  of  cursing,  with  his  host  to 
come  to  the  Pope,  to  help  to  go  to  Jerusalem,  for  to  make 
war  upon  the  Saracens. 

When  this  clerk  was  come  by  the  mean  of  the  king, 
anon  withal  King  Mark  sent  these  letters  unto  Sir  Tristram 
and  bade  him  say  thus  :  that  an  he  would  go  war  upon 
the  miscreants,  he  should  be  had  out  of  prison,  and  to 


CH.  LI    OF  KING  MARK  AND  SIR  TRISTRAM         93 

have  all  his  power.  When  Sir  Tristram  understood  this 
letter,  then  he  said  thus  to  the  clerk  :  Ah,  King  Mark, 
ever  hast  thou  been  a  traitor,  and  ever  will  be  ;  but,  Clerk, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  say  thou  thus  unto  King  Mark  :  Since 
the  Apostle  Pope  hath  sent  for  him,  bid  him  go  thither 
himself;  for  tell  him,  traitor  king  as  he  is,  I  will  not  go 
at  his  commandment,  get  I  out  of  prison  as  I  may,  for 
I  see  I  am  well  rewarded  for  my  true  service.  Then  the 
clerk  returned  unto  King  Mark,  and  told  him  of  the 
answer  of  Sir  Tristram.  Well,  said  King  Mark,  yet  shall 
he  be  beguiled.  So  he  went  into  his  chamber,  and  counter- 
feit letters  ;  and  the  letters  specified  that  the  Pope  desired 
Sir  Tristram  to  come  himself,  to  make  war  upon  the 
miscreants.  When  the  clerk  was  come  again  to  Sir 
Tristram  and  took  him  these  letters,  then  Sir  Tristram 
beheld  these  letters,  and  anon  espied  they  were  of  King 
Mark's  counterfeiting.  Ah,  said  Sir  Tristram,  false  hast 
thou  been  ever,  King  Mark,  and  so  wilt  thou  end.  Then 
the  clerk  departed  from  Sir  Tristram  and  came  to  King 
Mark  again. 

By  then  there  were  come  four  wounded  knights  within 
the  Castle  of  Tintagil,  and  one  of  them  his  neck  was  nigh 
broken  in  twain.  Another  had  his  arm  stricken  away,  the 
third  was  borne  through  with  a  spear,  the  fourth  had  his 
teeth  stricken  in  twain.  And  when  they  came  afore  King 
Mark  they  cried  and  said  :  King,  why  fleest  thou  not,  for 
all  this  country  is  arisen  clearly  against  thee  ?  Then  was 
King  Mark  wroth  out  of  measure. 

And  in  the  meanwhile  there  came  into  the  country  Sir 
Percivale  de  Galis  to  seek  Sir  Tristram.  And  when  he 
heard  that  Sir  Tristram  was  in  prison,  Sir  Percivale  made 
clearly  the  deliverance  of  Sir  Tristram  by  his  knightly 
means.  And  when  he  was  so  delivered  he  made  great  joy 
of  Sir  Percivale,  and  so  each  one  of  other.  Sir  Tristram 
said  unto  Sir  Percivale  :  An  ye  will  abide  in  these  marches 
I  will  ride  with  you.  Nay,  said  Percivale,  in  this  country 
I  may  not  tarry,  for  I  must  needs  into  Wales.  So  Sir 
Percivale  departed  from  Sir  Tristram,  and  rode  straight 
unto  King  Mark,  and  told  him  how  he  had  delivered  Sir 


94  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

Tristram ;  and  also  he  told  the  king  that  he  had  done 
himself  great  shame  for  to  put  Sir  Tristram  in  prison,  for 
he  is  now  the  knight  of  most  renown  in  this  world  living. 
And  wit  thou  well  the  noblest  knights  of  the  world  love 
Sir  Tristram,  and  if  he  will  make  war  upon  you  ye  may 
not  abide  it.  That  is  truth,  said  King  Mark,  but  I  may 
not  love  Sir  Tristram  because  he  loveth  my  queen  and  my 
wife,  La  Beale  Isoud.  Ah,  fie  for  shame,  said  Sir  Per- 
civale,  say  ye  never  so  more.  Are  ye  not  uncle  unto  Sir 
Tristram,  and  he  your  nephew  ?  Ye  should  never  think 
that  so  noble  a  knight  as  Sir  Tristram  is,  that  he  would  do 
himself  so  great  a  villainy  to  hold  his  uncle's  wife  ;  how- 
beit,  said  Sir  Percivale,  he  may  love  your  queen  sinless, 
because  she  is  called  one  of  the  fairest  ladies  of  the 
world. 

Then  Sir  Percivale  departed  from  King  Mark.  So 
when  he  was  departed  King  Mark  bethought  him  of  more 
treason  :  notwithstanding  King  Mark  granted  Sir  Percivale 
never  by  no  manner  of  means  to  hurt  Sir  Tristram.  So 
anon  King  Mark  sent  unto  Sir  Dinas  the  Seneschal  that  he 
should  put  down  all  the  people  that  he  had  raised,  for  he 
sent  him  an  oath  that  he  would  go  himself  unto  the  Pope 
of  Rome  to  war  upon  the  miscreants  ;  and  this  is  a  fairer 
war  than  thus  to  arise  the  people  against  your  king. 
When  Sir  Dinas  understood  that  King  Mark  would  go 
upon  the  miscreants,  then  Sir  Dinas  in  all  the  haste  put 
down  all  the  people  ;  and  when  the  people  were  departed 
every  man  to  his  home,  then  King  Mark  espied  where 
was  Sir  Tristram  with  La  Beale  Isoud  ;  and  there  by 
treason  King  Mark  let  take  him  and  put  him  in  prison, 
contrary  to  his  promise  that  he  made  unto  Sir  Percivale. 

When  Queen  Isoud  understood  that  Sir  Tristram  was 
in  prison  she  made  as  great  sorrow  as  ever  made  lady  or 
gentlewoman.  Then  Sir  Tristram  sent  a  letter  unto  La 
Beale  Isoud,  and  prayed  her  to  be  his  good  lady  ;  and  if  it 
pleased  her  to  make  a  vessel  ready  for  her  and  him,  he 
would  go  with  her  unto  the  realm  of  Logris,  that  is  this 
land.  When  La  Beale  Isoud  understood  Sir  Tristram's 
letters  and  his  intent,  she  sent  him  another,  and  bade  him 


CH.  LII   HOW  TRISTRAM  CAME  TO  ENGLAND      95 

be  of  good  comfort,  for  she  would  do  make  the  vessel 
ready,  and  all  thing  to  purpose. 

Then  La  Beale  Isoud  sent  unto  Sir  Dinas,  and  to 
Sadok,  and  prayed  them  in  anywise  to  take  King  Mark, 
and  put  him  in  prison,  unto  the  time  that  she  and  Sir 
Tristram  were  departed  unto  the  realm  of  Logris.  When 
Sir  Dinas  the  Seneschal  understood  the  treason  of  King 
Mark  he  promised  her  again,  and  sent  her  word  that  King 
Mark  should  be  put  in  prison.  And  as  they  devised  it  so 
it  was  done.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  was  delivered  out  of 
prison  ;  and  anon  in  all  the  haste  Queen  Isoud  and  Sir 
Tristram  went  and  took  their  counsel  with  that  they  would 
have  with  them  when  they  departed. 


CHAPTER   LII 

How  Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beak  Isoud  came  unto  England^ 
and  how  Sir  Launcelot  brought  them  to  Joyous  Gard. 

THEN  La  Beale  Isoud  and  Sir  Tristram  took  their  vessel, 
and  came  by  water  into  this  land.  And  so  they  were  not 
in  this  land  four  days  but  there  came  a  cry  of  a  jousts 
and  tournament  that  King  Arthur  let  make.  When  Sir 
Tristram  heard  tell  of  that  tournament  he  disguised  him- 
self, and  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  rode  unto  that  tournament.  ' 
And  when  he  came  there  he  saw  many  knights  joust  and 
tourney  ;  and  so  Sir  Tristram  dressed  him  to  the  range, 
and  to  make  short  conclusion,  he  overthrew  fourteen 
knights  of  the  Round  Table.  When  Sir  Launcelot  saw 
these  knights  thus  overthrown,  Sir  Launcelot  dressed  him 
to  Sir  Tristram.  That  saw  La  Beale  Isoud  how  Sir 
Launcelot  was  come  into  the  field.  Then  La  Beale  Isoud 
sent  unto  Sir  Launcelot  a  ring,  and  bade  him  wit  that  it 
was  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones.  When  Sir  Launcelot  under- 
stood that  there  was  Sir  Tristram  he  was  full  glad,  and 
would  not  joust.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  espied  whither  Sir 
Tristram  yede,  and  after  him  he  rode ;  and  then  either 


96  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

made  of  other  great  joy.  And  so  Sir  Launcelot  brought 
Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beale  Isoud  unto  Joyous  Gard,  that 
^/  was  his  own  castle,  that  he  had  won  with  his  own  hands. 
And  there  Sir  Launcelot  put  them  in  to  wield  for  their 
own.  And  wit  ye  well  that  castle  was  garnished  and 
furnished  for  a  king  and  a  queen  royal  there  to  have 
sojourned.  And  Sir  Launcelot  charged  all  his  people  to 
honour  them  and  love  them  as  they  would  do  himself. 

So  Sir  Launcelot  departed  unto  King  Arthur  ;  and 
then  he  told  Queen  Guenever  how  he  that  jousted  so  well 
at  the  last  tournament  was  Sir  Tristram.  And  there  he 
told  her  how  he  had  with  him  La  Beale  Isoud  maugre 
King  Mark,  and  so  Queen  Guenever  told  all  this  unto 
King  Arthur.  When  King  Arthur  wist  that  Sir  Tristram 
was  escaped  and  come  from  King  Mark,  and  had  brought 
La  Beale  Isoud  with  him,  then  was  he  passing  glad.  So 
because  of  Sir  Tristram  King  Arthur  let  make  a  cry, 
that  on  May  Day  should  be  a  jousts  before  the  castle  of 
Lonazep ;  and  that  castle  was  fast  by  Joyous  Gard.  And 
thus  Arthur  devised,  that  all  the  knights  of  this  land,  and 
of  Cornwall,  and  of  North  Wales,  should  joust  against 
all  these  countries,  Ireland,  Scotland,  and  the  remnant 
of  Wales,  and  the  country  of  Gore,  and  Surluse,  and  of 
Listinoise,  and  they  of  Northumberland,  and  all  they  that 
held  lands  of  Arthur  on  this  half  the  sea.  When  this  cry 
was  made  many  knights  were  glad  and  many  were  unglad 
Sir,  said  Launcelot  unto  Arthur,  by  this  cry  that  ye  have 
made  ye  will  put  us  that  be  about  you  in  great  jeopardy, 
for  there  be  many  knights  that  have  great  envy  to  us; 
therefore  when  we  shall  meet  at  the  day  of  jousts  there 
will  be  hard  shift  among  us.  As  for  that,  said  Arthur, 
I  care  not ;  there  shall  we  prove  who  shall  be  best  of 
his  hands.  So  when  Sir  Launcelot  understood  wherefore 
King  Arthur  made  this  jousting,  then  he  made  such 
purveyance  that  La  Beale  Isoud  should  behold  the  jousts 
in  a  secret  place  that  was  honest  for  her  estate. 

Now  turn  we  unto  Sir  Tristram  and  to  La  Beale  Isoud, 
how  they  made  great  joy  daily  together  with  all  manner 
of  mirths  that  they  could  devise  ;  and  every  day  Sir 


CHAP.  LIII     OF  SIR  BREUSE  SAUNCE  PITfi  97 

Tristram  would  go  ride  a-hunting,  for  Sir  Tristram  was 
that  time  called  the  best  chaser  of  the  world,  and  the 
noblest  blower  of  an  horn  of  all  manner  of  measures  ;  for 
as  books  report,  of  Sir  Tristram  came  all  the  good  terms 
of  venery  and  hunting,  and  all  the  sizes  and  measures  of 
blowing  of  an  horn  ;  and  of  him  we  had  first  all  the  terms 
of  hawking,  and  which  were  beasts  of  chase  and  beasts  of 
venery,  and  which  were  vermins,  and  all  the  blasts  that 
long  to  all  manner  of  games.  First  to  the  uncoupling,  to 
the  seeking,  to  the  rechate,  to  the  flight,  to  the  death,  and 
to  strake,  and  many  other  blasts  and  terms,  that  all  manner 
of  gentlemen  have  cause  to  the  world's  end  to  praise  Sir 
1  ristram,  and  to  prav  for  his  soul. 


CHAPTER  LIII 

How  by  the  counsel  of  La  Be  ale  Isoud  Sir  Tristram  rode 
armed,  and  how  he  met  with  Sir  Palomides. 

So  on  a  day  La  Beale  Isoud  said  unto  Sir  Tristram  :  I 
marvel  me  much,  said  she,  that  ye  remember  not  yourself, 
how  ye  be  here  in  a  strange  country,  and  here  be  many 
perilous  knights  ;  and  well  ye  wot  that  King  Mark  is  full 
of  treason  ;  and  that  ye  will  ride  thus  to  chase  and  to  hunt 
unarmed  ye  might  be  destroyed.  My  fair  lady  and  my 
love,  I  cry  you  mercy,  I  will  no  more  do  so.  So  then  Sir 
Tristram  rode  daily  a-hunting  armed,  and  his  men  bearing 
his  shield  and  his  spear.  So  on  a  day  a  little  afore  the 
month  of  May,  Sir  Tristram  chased  an  hart  passing 
eagerly,  and  so  the  hart  passed  by  a  fair  well.  And  then 
Sir  Tristram  alighted  and  put  off  his  helm  to  drink  of  that 
bubbly  water.  Right  so  he  heard  and  saw  the  Questing 
Beast  come  to  the  well.  When  Sir  Tristram  saw  that 
beast  he  put  on  his  helm,  for  he  deemed  he  should  hear  of 
Sir  Palomides,  for  that  beast  was  his  quest.  Right  so  Sir 
Tristram  saw  where  came  a  knight  armed,  upon  a  noble 
courser,  and  he  saluted  him,  and  they  spake  of  many 

VOL.   II  H 


98  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

things  ;  and  this  knight's  name  was  Breuse  Saunce  Pite. 
And  right  so  withal  there  came  unto  them  the  noble 
knight  Sir  Palomides,  and  either  saluted  other,  and  spake 
fair  to  other. 

Fair  knights,  said  Sir  Palomides,  I  can  tell  you  tidings. 
What  is  that  ?  said  those  knights.  Sirs,  wit  ye  well  that 
King  Mark  is  put  in  prison  by  his  own  knights,  and  all 
was  for  love  of  Sir  Tristram  ;  for  King  Mark  had  put  Sir 
Tristram  twice  in  prison,  and  once  Sir  Percivale  delivered 
the  noble  knight  Sir  Tristram  out  of  prison.  And  at  the 
last  time  Queen  La  Beale  Isoud  delivered  him,  and  went 
clearly  away  with  him  into  this  realm  ;  and  all  this  while 
King  Mark,  the  false  traitor,  is  in  prison.  Is  this  truth  ? 
said  Palomides  ;  then  shall  we  hastily  hear  of  Sir  Tristram. 
And  as  for  to  say  that  I  love  La  Beale  Isoud  paramours, 
I  dare  make  good  that  I  do,  and  that  she  hath  my  service 
above  all  other  ladies,  and  shall  have  the  term  of  my  life. 

And  right  so  as  they  stood  talking  they  saw  afore  them 
where  came  a  knight  all  armed,  on  a  great  horse,  and  one 
of  his  men  bare  his  shield,  and  the  other  his  spear.  And 
anori  as  that  knight  espied  them  he  gat  his  shield  and  his 
spear  and  dressed  him  to  joust.  Fair  fellows,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  yonder  is  a  knight  will  joust  with  us,  let  see 
which  of  us  shall  encounter  with  him,  for  I  see  well  he  is 
of  the  court  of  King  Arthur.  It  shall  not  be  long  or  he 
be  met  withal,  said  Sir  Palomides,  for  I  found  never  no 
knight  in  my  quest  of  this  glasting  beast,  but  an  he  would 
joust  I  never  refused  him.  As  well  may  I,  said  Breuse 
Saunce  Pite,  follow  that  beast  as  ye.  Then  shall  ye  do 
battle  with  me,  said  Palomides. 

So  Sir  Palomides  dressed  him  unto  that  other  knight, 
Sir  Bleoberis,  that  was  a  full  noble  knight,  nigh  kin  unto 
Sir  Launcelot.  And  so  they  met  so  hard  that  Sir  Palo- 
mides fell  to  the  earth,  horse  and  all.  Then  Sir  Bleoberis 
cried  aloud  and  said  thus  :  Make  thee  ready  thou  false 
traitor  knight,  Breuse  Saunce  Pite,  for  wit  thou  certainly 
I  will  have  ado  with  thee  to  the  utterance  for  the  noble 
knights  and  ladies  that  thou  hast  falsely  betrayed.  When 
this  false  knight  and  traitor,  Breuse  Saunce  Pite,  heard 


CHAP.  LIII     OF  SIR  BREUSE  SAUNCE  PIT^  99 

him  say  so,  he  took  his  horse  by  the  bridle  and  fled  his 
way  as  fast  as  ever  his  horse  might  run,  for  sore  he  was  of 
him  afeard.  When  Sir  Bleoberis  saw  him  flee  he  followed 
fast  after,  through  thick  and  through  thin.  And  by 
fortune  as  Sir  Breuse  fled,  he  saw  even  afore  him  three 
knights  of  the  Table  Round,  of  the  which  the  one  hight 
Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  the  other  hight  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis, 
the  third  hight  Sir  Harry  le  Fise  Lake,  a  good  knight  and 
an  hardy.  And  as  for  Sir  Percivale,  he  was  called  that 
time  of  his  time  one  of  the  best  knights  of  the  world, 
and  the  best  assured.  When  Breuse  saw  these  knights  he 
rode  straight  unto  them,  and  cried  unto  them  and  prayed 
them  of  rescues.  What  need  have  ye?  said  Sir  Ector. 
Ah,  fair  knights,  said  Sir  Breuse,  here  followeth  me  the 
most  traitor  knight,  and  most  coward,  and  most  of  villainy  ; 
his  name  is  Breuse  Saunce  Pite,  and  if  he  may  get  me  he 
will  slay  me  without  mercy  and  pity.  Abide  with  us,  said 
Sir  Percivale,  and  we  shall  warrant  you. 

Then  were  they  ware  of  Sir  Bleoberis  that  came  riding 
all  that  he  might.  Then  Sir  Ector  put  himself  forth  to 
joust  afore  them  all.  When  Sir  Bleoberis  saw  that  they 
were  four  knights  and  he  but  himself,  he  stood  in  a  doubt 
whether  he  would  turn  or  hold  his  way.  Then  he  said  to 
himself:  I  am  a  knight  of  the  Table  Round,  and  rather 
than  I  should  shame  mine  oath  and  my  blood  I  will  hold 
my  way  whatsoever  fall  thereof.  And  then  Sir  Ector 
dressed  his  spear,  and  smote  either  other  passing  sore,  but 
Sir  Ector  fell  to  the  earth.  That  saw  Sir  Percivale,  and 
he  dressed  his  horse  toward  him  all  that  he  might  drive, 
but  Sir  Percivale  had  such  a  stroke  that  horse  and  man  fell 
to  the  earth.  When  Sir  Harry  saw  that  they  were  both  to 
the  earth  then  he  said  to  himself :  Never  was  Breuse  of 
such  prowess.  So  Sir  Harry  dressed  his  horse,  and  they 
met  together  so  strongly  that  both  the  horses  and  knights 
fell  to  the  earth,  but  Sir  Bleoberis'  horse  began  to  recover 
again.  That  saw  Breuse  and  he  came  hurtling,  and  smote 
him  over  and  over,  and  would  have  slain  him  as  he  lay  on 
the  ground.  Then  Sir  Harry  le  Fise  Lake  arose  lightly, 
and  took  the  bridle  of  Sir  Breuse's  horse,  and  said  : 


ioo  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

Fie  for  shame !  strike  never  a  knight  when  he  is  at  the 
earth,  for  this  knight  may  be  called  no  shameful  knight  of 
his  deeds,  for  yet  as  men  may  see  thereas  he  lieth  on  the 
ground  he  hath  done  worshipfully,  and  put  to  the  worse 
passing  good  knights.  Therefore  will  I  not  let,  said  Sir 
Breuse.  Thou  shalt  not  choose,  said  Sir  Harry,  as  at  this 
time.  Then  when  Sir  Breuse  saw  that  he  might  not  choose 
nor  have  his  will  he  spake  fair.  Then  Sir  Harry  let  him 
go.  And  then  anon  he  made  his  horse  to  run  over  Sir 
Bleoberis,  and  rashed  him  to  the  earth  like  if  he  would 
have  slain  him.  When  Sir  Harry  saw  him  do  so  villain- 
ously he  cried  :  Traitor  knight,  leave  off  for  shame.  And 
as  Sir  Harry  would  have  taken  his  horse  to  fight  with  Sir 
Breuse,  then  Sir  Breuse  ran  upon  him  as  he  was  half  upon 
his  horse,  and  smote  him  down,  horse  and  man,  to  the 
earth,  and  had  near  slain  Sir  Harry,  the  good  knight. 
That  saw  Sir  Percivale,  and  then  he  cried  :  Traitor  knight, 
what  dost  thou  ?  And  when  Sir  Percivale  was  upon  his 
horse  Sir  Breuse  took  his  horse  and  fled  all  that  ever  he 
might,  and  Sir  Percivale  and  Sir  Harry  followed  after  him 
fast,  but  ever  the  longer  they  chased  the  farther  were  they 
behind. 

Then  they  turned  again  and  came  to  Sir  Ector  de  Maris 
and  to  Sir  Bleoberis.  Ah,  fair  knights,  said  Bleoberis,  why 
have  ye  succoured  that  false  knight  and  traitor  ?  Why, 
said  Sir  Harry,  what  knight  is  he  ?  for  well  I  wot  it  is  a 
false  knight,  said  Sir  Harry,  and  a  coward  and  a  felonious 
knight.  Sir,  said  Bleoberis,  he  is  the  most  coward  knight, 
and  a  devourer  of  ladies  and  a  destroyer  of  good  knights, 
and  especially  of  Arthur's.  What  is  your  name  ?  said  Sir 
Ector.  My  name  is  Sir  Bleoberis  de  Ganis.  Alas,  fair 
cousin,  said  Ector,  forgive  it  me,  for  I  am  Sir  Ector  de 
Maris.  Then  Sir  Percivale  and  Sir  Harry  made  great  joy 
that  they  met  with  Bleoberis,  but  all  they  were  heavy  that 
Sir  Breuse  was  escaped  them,  whereof  they  made  great  dole. 


CHAP.  LIV  OF  PALOMIDES  AND  BLEOBERIS  101 


CHAPTER  LIV 

Of  Sir  Palomides,  and  how  he  met  with  Sir  Bleoberis 
and  with  Sir  Ector,  and  of  Sir  Percivale. 

RIGHT  so  as  they  stood  thus  there  came  Sir  Palomides,  and 
when  he  saw  the  shield  of  Bleoberis  lie  on  the  earth,  then 
said  Palomides  :  He  that  oweth  that  shield  let  him  dress 
him  to  me,  for  he  smote  me  down  here  fast  by  at  a  fountain, 
and  therefore  I  will  fight  for  him  on  foot.  I  am  ready, 
said  Bleoberis,  here  to  answer  thee,  for  wit  thou  well,  sir 
knight,  it  was  I,  and  my  name  is  Bleoberis  de  Ganis. 
Well  art  thou  met,  said  Palomides,  and  wit  thou  well  my 
name  is  Palomides  the  Saracen  ;  and  either  of  them  hated 
other  to  the  death.  Sir  Palomides,  said  Ector,  wit  thou 
well  there  is  neither  thou  nor  none  knight  that  beareth  the 
life  that  slayeth  any  of  our  blood  but  he  shall  die  for  it ; 
therefore  an  thou  list  to  fight  go  seek  Sir  Launcelot  or  Sir 
Tristram,  and  there  shall  ye  find  your  match.  With  them 
have  I  met,  said  Palomides,  but  I  had  never  no  worship  of 
them.  Was  there  never  no  manner  of  knight,  said  Sir 
Ector,  but  they  that  ever  matched  with  you?  Yes,  said 
Palomides,  there  was  the  third,  a  good  knight  as  any  of 
them,  and  of  his  age  he  was  the  best  that  ever  I  found  ; 
for  an  he  might  have  lived  till  he  had  been  an  hardier  man 
there  liveth  no  knight  now  such,  and  his  name  was  Sir 
Lamorak  de  Galis.  And  as  he  had  jousted  at  a  tourna- 
ment there  he  overthrew  me  and  thirty  knights  more,  and 
there  he  won  the  degree.  And  at  his  departing  there  met 
him  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren,  and  with  great  pain  they 
slew  him  feloniously,  unto  all  good  knights'  great  damage. 
Anon  as  Sir  Percivale  heard  that  his  brother  was  dead,  Sir 
Lamorak,  he  fell  over  his  horse's  mane  swooning,  and  there 
he  made  the  greatest  dole  that  ever  made  knight.  And 
when  Sir  Percivale  arose  he  said  :  Alas,  my  good  and  noble 
brother  Sir  Lamorak,  now  shall  we  never  meet,  and  I  trow 
in  all  the  wide  world  a  man  may  not  find  such  a  knight  as 


102  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

he  was  of  his  age  ;  and  it  is  too  much  to  suffer  the  death 
of  our  father  King  Pellinore,  and  now  the  death  of  our 
good  brother  Sir  Lamorak. 

Then  in  the  meanwhile  there  came  a  varlet  from  the 
court  of  King  Arthur,  and  told  them  of  the  great  tourna- 
ment that  should  be  at  Lonazep,  and  how  these  lands, 
Cornwall  and  Northgalis,  should  be  against  all  them  that 
would  come. 


CHAPTER  LV 

How  Sir  Tristram  met  with  Sir  Dinadan  y  and  of  their 
devices,  and  what  he  said  to  Sir  Gawaine  s  brethren. 

Now  turn  we  unto  Sir  Tristram,  that  as  he  rode  a-hunting 
he  met  with  Sir  Dinadan,  that  was  come  into  that 
country  to  seek  Sir  Tristram.  Then  Sir  Dinadan  told  Sir 
Tristram  his  name,  but  Sir  Tristram  would  not  tell  him 
his  name,  wherefore  Sir  Dinadan  was  wroth.  For  such  a 
foolish  knight  as  ye  are,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  I  saw  but  late 
this  day  lying  by  a  well,  and  he  fared  as  he  slept ;  and 
there  he  lay  like  a  fool  grinning,  and  would  not  speak, 
and  his  shield  lay  by  him,  and  his  horse  stood  by  him  ;  and 
well  I  wot  he  was  a  lover.  Ah,  fair  sir,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
are  ye  not  a  lover  ?  Mary,  fie  on  that  craft !  said  Sir 
Dinadan.  That  is  evil  said,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  a  knight 
may  never  be  of  prowess  but  if  he  be  a  lover.  It  is  well 
said,  said  Sir  Dinadan  ;  now  tell  me  your  name,  sith  ye  be 
a  lover,  or  else  I  shall  do  battle  with  you.  As  for  that, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  it  is  no  reason  to  fight  with  me  but  I 
tell  you  my  name  ;  and  as  for  that  my  name  shall  ye  not 
wit  as  at  this  time.  Fie  for  shame,  said  Dinadan,  art  thou 
a  knight  and  durst  not  tell  thy  name  to  me  ?  therefore  I 
will  fight  with  thee.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will 
be  advised,  for  I  will  not  do  battle  but  if  me  list.  And  if 
I  do  battle,  said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  are  not  able  to  withstand 
me.  Fie  on  thee,  coward,  said  Sir  Dinadan. 

And  thus  as  they  hoved  still,  they  saw  a  knight  come 


CH.  LV  HOW  DINADAN  MOCKED  AT  LOVERS     103 

riding  against  them.  Lo,  said  Sir  Tristram,  see  where 
cometh  a  knight  riding,  will  joust  with  you.  Anon,  as 
Sir  Dinadan  beheld  him  he  said  :  That  is  the  same  doted 
knight  that  I  saw  lie  by  the  well,  neither  sleeping  nor 
waking.  Well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  know  that  knight  well 
with  the  covered  shield  of  azure,  he  is  the  king's  son 
of  Northumberland,  his  name  is  Epinegris  ;  and  he  is  as 
great  a  lover  as  I  know,  and  he  loveth  the  king's  daughter 
of  Wales,  a  full  fair  lady.  And  now  I  suppose,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  an  ye  require  him  he  will  joust  with  you,  and 
then  shall  ye  prove  whether  a  lover  be  a  better  knight,  or 
ye  that  will  not  love  no  lady.  Well,  said  Dinadan,  now 
shalt  thou  see  what  I  shall  do.  Therewithal  Sir  Dinadan 
spake  on  high  and  said  :  Sir  knight,  make  thee  ready  to 
joust  with  me,  for  it  is  the  custom  of  errant  knights  one 
to  joust  with  other.  Sir,  said  Epinegris,  is  that  the  rule  of 
you  errant  knights  for  to  make  a  knight  to  joust,  will  he 
or  nill  ?  As  for  that,  said  Dinadan,  make  thee  ready,  for 
here  is  for  me.  And  therewithal  they  spurred  their  horses 
and  met  together  so  hard  that  Epinegris  smote  down  Sir 
Dinadan.  Then  Sir  Tristram  rode  to  Sir  Dinadan  and 
said  :  How  now,  meseemeth  the  lover  hath  well  sped. 
Fie  on  thee,  coward,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  and  if  thou  be  a 
good  knight  revenge  me.  Nay,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will 
not  joust  as  at  this  time,  but  take  your  horse  and  let  us 
go  hence.  God  defend  me,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  from  thy 
fellowship,  for  I  never  sped  well  since  I  met  with  thee  : 
and  so  they  departed.  Well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  peradven- 
ture  I  could  tell  you  tidings  of  Sir  Tristram.  God  defend 
me,  said  Dinadan,  'from  thy  fellowship,  for  Sir  Tristram 
were  mickle  the  worse  an  he  were  in  thy  company  :  and 
then  they  departed.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  yet  it  may 
happen  I  shall  meet  with  you  in  other  places. 

So  rode  Sir  Tristram  unto  Joyous  Card,  and  there  he 
heard  in  that  town  great  noise  and  cry.  What  is  this 
noise  ?  said  Sir  Tristram.  Sir,  said  they,  here  is  a  knight 
of  this  castle  that  hath  been  long  among  us,  and  right  now 
he  is  slain  with  two  knights,  and  for  none  other  cause  but 
that  our  knight  said  that  Sir  Launcelot  were  a  better 


104  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

knight  than  Sir  Gawaine.  That  was  a  simple  cause,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  for  to  slay  a  good  knight  for  to  say  well 
by  his  master.  That  is  little  remedy  to  us,  said  the 
men  of  the  town.  For  an  Sir  Launcelot  had  been  here 
soon  we  should  have  been  revenged  upon  the  false 
knights. 

When  Sir  Tristram  heard  them  say  so  he  sent  for  his 
shield  and  for  his  spear,  and  lightly  within  a  while  he  had 
overtaken  them,  and  bade  them  turn  and  amend  that  they 
had  misdone.  What  amends  wouldst  thou  have  ?  said  the 
one  knight.  And  therewith  they  took  their  course,  and 
either  met  other  so  hard  that  Sir  Tristram  smote  down 
that  knight  over  his  horse's  tail.  Then  the  other  knight 
dressed  him  to  Sir  Tristram,  and  in  the  same  wise  he 
served  the  other  knight.  And  then  they  gat  off  their 
horses  as  well  as  they  might,  and  dressed  their  shields  and 
swords  to  do  their  battle  to  the  utterance.  Knights,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  ye  shall  tell  me  of  whence  ye  are,  and  what 
be  your  names,  for  such  men  ye  might  be  ye  should  hard 
escape  my  hands ;  and  ye  might  be  such  men  of  such  a 
country  that  for  all  your  evil  deeds  ye  should  pass  quit. 
Wit  thou  well,  sir  knight,  said  they,  we  fear  not  to  tell 
thee  our  names,  for  my  name  is  Sir  Agravaine,  and  my 
name  is  Gaheris,  brethren  unto  the  good  knight  Sir  Gawaine, 
and  we  be  nephews  unto  King  Arthur.  Well,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  for  King  Arthur's  sake  I  shall  let  you  pass  as 
at  this  time.  But  it  is  shame,  said  Sir  Tristram,  that  Sir 
Gawaine  and  ye  be  come  of  so  great  a  blood  that  ye  four 
brethren  are  so  named  as  ye  be,  for  ye  be  called  the  greatest 
destroyers  and  murderers  of  good  knights  that  be  now  in 
this  realm  ;  for  it  is  but  as  I  heard  say  that  Sir  Gawaine 
and  ye  slew  among  you  a  better  knight  than  ever  ye  were, 
that  was  the  noble  knight  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis.  An  it 
had  pleased  God,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  would  I  had  been  by 
Sir  Lamorak  at  his  death.  Then  shouldst  thou  have  gone 
the  same  way,  said  Sir  Gaheris.  Fair  knight,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  there  must  have  been  many  more  knights  than 
ye  are.  And  therewithal  Sir  Tristram  departed  from  them 
toward  Joyous  Card.  And  when  he  was  departed  they 


CH.  LVI   HOW  TRISTRAM  SMOTE  AGRAVAINE     105 

took  their  horses,  and  the  one  said  to  the  other  :  We  will 
overtake  him  and  be  revenged  upon  him  in  the  despite 
of  Sir  Lamorak. 


CHAPTER  LVI 

How  Sir  Tristram  smote  down  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir 
Gaherisy  and  how  Sir  Dinadan  was  sent  for  by  La 
Beale  Isoud. 

So  when  they  had  overtaken  Sir  Tristram,  Sir  Agravaine 
bade  him  :  Turn,  traitor  knight.  That  is  evil  said,  said 
Sir  Tristram  ;  and  therewith  he  pulled  out  his  sword,  and 
smote  Sir  Agravaine  such  a  buffet  upon  the  helm  that  he 
tumbled  down  off  his  horse  in  a  swoon,  and  he  had  a 
grievous  wound.  And  then  he  turned  to  Gaheris,  and  Sir 
Tristram  smote  his  sword  and  his  helm  together  with  such 
a  might  that  Gaheris  fell  out  of  his  saddle  :  and  so  Sir 
Tristram  rode  unto  Joyous  Card,  and  there  he  alighted 
and  unarmed  him.  So  Sir  Tristram  told  La  Beale  Isoud 
of  all  his  adventure,  as  ye  have  heard  to-fore.  And  when 
she  heard  him  tell  of  Sir  Dinadan  :  Sir,  said  she,  is  not  that 
he  that  made  the  song  by  King  Mark  ?  That  same  is  he, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  is  the  best  bourder  and  japer,  and 
a  noble  knight  of  his  hands,  and  the  best  fellow  that  I 
know,  and  all  good  knights  love  his  fellowship.  Alas,  sir, 
said  she,  why  brought  ye  not  him  with  you  ?  Have  ye 
no  care,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  rideth  to  seek  me  in  this 
country  ;  and  therefore  he  will  not  away  till  he  have  met 
with  me.  And  there  Sir  Tristram  told  La  Beale  Isoud 
how  Sir  Dinadan  held  against  all  lovers.  Right  so  there 
came  in  a  varlet  and  told  Sir  Tristram  how  there  was  come 
an  errant  knight  into  the  town,  with  such  colours  upon 
his  shield.  That  is  Sir  Dinadan,  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  wit 
ye  what  ye  shall  do,  said  Sir  Tristram  :  send  ye  for  him, 
my  Lady  Isoud,  and  I  will  not  be  seen,  and  ye  shall  hear 
the  merriest  knight  that  ever  ye  spake  withal,  and  the 


106  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

maddest  talker  ;  and  I  pray  you  heartily  that  ye  make  him 
good  cheer. 

Then  anon  La  Beale  Isoud  sent  into  the  town,  and 
prayed  Sir  Dinadan  that  he  would  come  into  the  castle  and 
repose  him  there  with  a  lady.  With  a  good  will,  said  Sir 
Dinadan  ;  and  so  he  mounted  upon  his  horse  and  rode 
into  the  castle ;  and  there  he  alighted,  and  was  unarmed, 
and  brought  into  the  castle.  Anon  La  Beale  Isoud  came 
unto  him,  and  either  saluted  other ;  then  she  asked  him 
of  whence  that  he  was.  Madam,  said  Dinadan,  I  am  of 
the  court  of  King  Arthur,  and  knight  of  the  Table  Round, 
and  my  name  is  Sir  Dinadan.  What  do  ye  in  this  country  ? 
said  La  Beale  Isoud.  Madam,  said  he,  I  seek  Sir  Tristram 
the  good  knight,  for  it  was  told  me  that  he  was  in  this 
country.  It  may  well  be,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  but  I  am 
not  ware  of  him.  Madam,  said  Dinadan,  I  marvel  of 
Sir  Tristram  and  mo  other  lovers,  what  aileth  them  to 
be  so  mad  and  so  sotted  upon  women.  Why,  said  La 
Beale  Isoud,  are  ye  a  knight  and  be  no  lover  ?  it  is  shame 
to  you  :  wherefore  ye  may  not  be  called  a  good  knight 
[but]  if  ye  make  a  quarrel  for  a  lady.  God  defend  me,  said 
Dinadan,  for  the  joy  of  love  is  too  short,  and  the  sorrow 
thereof,  and  what  cometh  thereof,  dureth  over  long.  Ah, 
said  La  Beale  Isoud,  say  ye  not  so,  for  here  fast  by  was 
the  good  knight  Sir  Bleoberis,  that  fought  with  three 
knights  at  once  for  a  damosel's  sake,  and  he  won  her  afore 
the  King  of  Northumberland.  It  was  so,  said  Sir  Dinadan, 
for  I  know  him  well  for  a  good  knight  and  a  noble,  and 
come  of  noble  blood  ;  for  all  be  noble  knights  of  whom 
he  is  come  of,  that  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake. 

Now  I  pray  you,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  tell  me  will  you 
fight  for  my  love  with  three  knights  that  do  me  great 
wrong  ?  and  insomuch  as  ye  be  a  knight  of  King  Arthur's 
I  require  you  to  do  battle  for  me.  Then  Sir  Dinadan 
said :  I  shall  say  you  ye  be  as  fair  a  lady  as  ever  I  saw 
any,  and  much  fairer  than  is  my  lady  Queen  Guenever, 
but  wit  ye  well  at  one  word,  I  will  not  fight  for  you  with 
three  knights,  Jesu  defend  me.  Then  Isoud  laughed,  and 
had  good  game  at  him.  So  he  had  all  the  cheer  that  she 


CH.LVII    HOW  DINADAN  KNEW  TRISTRAM         107 

might  make  him,  and  there  he  lay  all  that  night.  And 
on  the  morn  early  Sir  Tristram  armed  him,  and  La  Beale 
Isoud  gave  him  a  good  helm  ;  and  then  he  promised  her 
that  he  would  meet  with  Sir  Dinadan,  and  they  two  would 
ride  together  into  Lonazep,  where  the  tournament  should 
be  :  And  there  shall  I  make  ready  for  you  where  ye  shall 
see  the  tournament.  Then  departed  Sir  Tristram  with 
two  squires  that  bare  his  shield  and  his  spears  that  were 
great  and  long. 


CHAPTER  LVII 

How  Sir  Dinadan  met  with  Sir  Tristram,  and  with  jousting 
with  Sir  Palomides,  Sir  Dinadan  knew  him. 

THEN  after  that  Sir  Dinadan  departed,  and  rode  his 
way  a  great  pace  until  he  had  overtaken  Sir  Tristram. 
And  when  Sir  Dinadan  had  overtaken  him  he  knew  him 
anon,  and  he  hated  the  fellowship  of  him  above  all  other 
knights.  Ah,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  art  thou  that  coward 
knight  that  I  met  with  yesterday  ?  keep  thee,  for  thou 
shalt  joust  with  me  maugre  thy  head.  Well,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  and  I  am  loath  to  joust.  And  so  they  let  their 
horses  run,  and  Sir  Tristram  missed  of  him  a-purpose, 
and  Sir  Dinadan  brake  a  spear  upon  Sir  Tristram,  and 
therewith  Sir  Dinadan  dressed  him  to  draw  out  his  sword. 
Not  so,  said  Sir  Tristram,  why  are  ye  so  wroth?  I  will 
not  fight.  Fie  on  thee,  coward,  said  Dinadan,  thou 
shamest  all  knights.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I 
care  not,  for  I  will  wait  upon  you  and  be  under  your 
protection ;  for  because  ye  are  so  good  a  knight  ye  may 
save  me.  The  devil  deliver  me  of  thee,  said  Sir  Dinadan, 
for  thou  art  as  goodly  a  man  of  arms  and  of  thy  person 
as  ever  I  saw,  and  the  most  coward  that  ever  I  saw. 
What  wilt  thou  do  with  those  great  spears  that  thou 
earnest  with  thee  ?  I  shall  give  them,  said  Sir  Tristram, 


io8  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

to  some  good  knight  when  I  come  to  the  tournament ; 
and  if  I  see  you  do  best,  I  shall  give  them  to  you. 

So  thus  as  they  rode  talking  they  saw  where  came  an 
errant  knight  afore  them,  that  dressed  him  to  joust.  Lo, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  yonder  is  one  will  joust ;  now  dress 
thee  to  him.  Ah,  shame  betide  thee,  said  Sir  Dinadan. 
Nay,  not  so,  said  Tristram,  for  that  knight  beseemeth  a 
shrew.  Then  shall  I,  said  Sir  Dinadan.  And  so  they 
dressed  their  shields  and  their  spears,  and  they  met  to- 
gether so  hard  that  the  other  knight  smote  down  Sir 
Dinadan  from  his  horse.  Lo,  said  Sir  Tristram,  it  had 
been  better  ye  had  left.  Fie  on  thee,  coward,  said  Sir 
Dinadan.  Then  Sir  Dinadan  started  up  and  gat  his 
sword  in  his  hand,  and  proffered  to  do  battle  on  foot. 
Whether  in  love  or  in  wrath  ?  said  the  other  knight. 
Let  us  do  battle  in  love,  said  Sir  Dinadan.  What  is  your 
name,  said  that  knight,  I  pray  you  tell  me.  Wit  ye  well 
my  name  is  Sir  Dinadan.  Ah,  Dinadan,  said  that  knight, 
and  my  name  is  Gareth,  the  youngest  brother  unto  Sir 
Gawaine.  Then  either  made  of  other  great  cheer,  for 
this  Gareth  was  the  best  knight  of  all  the  brethren,  and 
he  proved  a  good  knight.  Then  they  took  their  horses, 
and  there  they  spake  of  Sir  Tristram,  how  such  a  coward 
he  was  ;  and  every  word  Sir  Tristram  heard  and  laughed 
them  to  scorn. 

Then  were  they  ware  where  came  a  knight  afore  them 
well  horsed  and  well  armed,  and  he  made  him  ready  to 
joust.  Fair  knights,  said  Sir  Tristram,  look  betwixt  you 
who  shall  joust  with  yonder  knight,  for  I  warn  you  I  will 
not  have  ado  with  him.  Then  shall  I,  said  Sir  Gareth. 
And  so  they  encountered  together,  and  there  that  knight 
smote  down  Sir  Gareth  over  his  horse's  croup.  How 
now,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto  Sir  Dinadan,  dress  thee  now 
and  revenge  the  good  knight  Gareth.  That  shall  I  not, 
said  Sir  Dinadan,  for  he  hath  stricken  down  a  much 
bigger  knight  than  I  am.  Ah,  said  Sir  Tristram,  now 
Sir  Dinadan,  I  see  and  feel  well  your  heart  faileth  you, 
therefore  now  shall  ye  see  what  I  shall  do.  And  then  Sir 
Tristram  hurtled  unto  that  knight,  and  smote  him  quite 


CHAP.  LVII      TRISTRAM  AND  PALOMIDES  109 

from  his  horse.  And  when  Sir  Dinadan  saw  that,  he 
marvelled  greatly  ;  and  then  he  deemed  that  it  was  Sir 
Tristram. 

Then  this  knight  that  was  on  foot  pulled  out  his 
sword  to  do  battle.  What  is  your  name  ?  said  Sir 
Tristram.  Wit  ye  well,  said  that  knight,  my  name  is 
Sir  Palomides.  What  knight  hate  ye  most?  said  Sir 
Tristram.  Sir  knight,  said  he,  I  hate  Sir  Tristram  to  the 
death,  for  an  I  may  meet  with  him  the  one  of  us  shall  die. 
Ye  say  well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and  wit  ye  well  that  I  am 
Sir  Tristram  de  Liones,  and  now  do  your  worst.  When 
Sir  Palomides  heard  him  say  so  he  was  astonied.  And 
then  he  said  thus  :  I  pray  you,  Sir  Tristram,  forgive  me 
all  mine  evil  will,  and  if  I  live  I  shall  do  you  service 
above  all  other  knights  that  be  living  ;  and  whereas  I 
have  owed  you  evil  will  me  sore  repenteth.  I  wot  not 
what  aileth  me,  for  meseemeth  that  ye  are  a  good  knight, 
and  none  other  knight  that  named  himself  a  good  knight 
should  not  hate  you  ;  therefore  I  require  you,  Sir  Tris- 
tram, take  no  displeasure  at  mine  unkind  words,  ^k 
Palomides,  said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  say  well,  and  well  I  wot 
ye  are  a  good  knight,  for  I  have  seen  ye  proved  ;  and 
many  great  enterprises  have  ye  taken  upon  you,  and  well 
achieved  them  ;  therefore,  said  Sir  Tristram,  an  ye  have 
any  evil  will  to  me,  now  may  ye  right  it,  for  I  am  ready 
at  your  hand.  Not  so,  my  lord  Sir  Tristram,  I  will  do 
you  knightly  service  in  all  thing  as  ye  will  command. 
And  right  so  I  will  take  you,  said  Sir  Tristram.  And  so 
they  rode  forth  on  their  ways  talking  of  many  things. 
O  my  lord  Sir  Tristram,  said  Dinadan,  foul  have  ye 
mocked  me,  for  God  knoweth  I  came  into  this  country  for 
your  sake,  and  by  the  advice  of  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot ; 
and  yet  would  not  Sir  Launcelot  tell  me  the  certainty 
of  you,  where  I  should  find  you.  Truly,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
Sir  Launcelot  wist  well  where  I  was,  for  I  abode  within 
his  own  castle. 


no  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 


CHAPTER   LVIII 

How  they  approached  the  Castle  Lonazep,  and  of  other 
devices  of  the  death  of  Sir  Lamorak. 

THUS  they  rode  until  they  were  ware  of  the  Castle 
Lonazep.  And  then  were  they  ware  of  four  hundred 
tents  and  pavilions,  and  marvellous  great  ordinance.  So 
God  me  help,  said  Sir  Tristram,  yonder  I  see  the  greatest 
ordinance  that  ever  I  saw.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  meseemeth 
that  there  was  as  great  an  ordinance  at  the  Castle  of 
Maidens  upon  the  rock,  where  ye  won  the  prize,  for  I 
saw  myself  where  ye  for-j  ousted  thirty  knights.  Sir,  said 
Dinadan,  and  in  Surluse,  at  that  tournament  that  Galahalt 
of  the  Long  Isles  made,  the  which  there  dured  seven  days, 
was  as  great  a  gathering  as  is  here,  for  there  were  many 
nations.  Who  was  the  best?  said  Sir  Tristram.  Sir,  it 
7'*«s  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  and  the  noble  knight,  Sir 
Lamorak  de  Galis,  and  Sir  Launcelot  won  the  degree.  I 
doubt  not,  said  Sir  Tristram,  but  he  won  the  degree,  so 
he  had  not  been  overmatched  with  many  knights  ;  and  of 
the  death  of  Sir  Lamorak,  said  Sir  Tristram,  it  was  over 
great  pity,  for  I  dare  say  he  was  the  cleanest  mighted  man 
and  the  best  winded  of  his  age  that  was  alive  ;  for  I  knew 
him  that  he  was  the  biggest  knight  that  ever  I  met  withal, 
but  if  it  were  Sir  Launcelot.  Alas,  said  Sir  Tristram,  full 
woe  is  me  for  his  death.  And  if  they  were  not  the  cousins 
of  my  lord  Arthur  that  slew  him,  they  should  die  for  it, 
and  all  those  that  were  consenting  to  his  death.  And  for 
such  things,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  fear  to  draw  unto  the 
court  of  my  lord  Arthur ;  I  will  that  ye  wit  it,  said  Sir 
Tristram  unto  Gareth. 

Sir,  I  blame  you  not,  said  Gareth,  for  well  I  under- 
stand the  vengeance  of  my  brethren  Sir  Gawaine,  Agra- 
vaine,  Gaheris,  and  Mordred.  But  as  for  me,  said  Sir 
Gareth,  I  meddle  not  of  their  matters,  therefore  there  is 
none  of  them  that  loveth  me,  And  for  I  understand  they 


CHAP.LVIII     OF  THE  CASTLE  LONAZEP  in 

be  murderers  of  good  knights  I  left  their  company  ;  and 
God  would  I  had  been  by,  said  Gareth,  when  the  noble 
knight,  Sir  Lamorak,  was  slain.  Now  as  Jesu  be  my  help, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  it  is  well  said  of  you,  for  I  had  liefer 
than  all  the  gold  betwixt  this  and  Rome  I  had  been  there. 
Y-wis,1  said  Palomides,  and  so  would  I  had  been  there, 
and  yet  had  I  never  the  degree  at  no  jousts  nor  tourna- 
ment thereas  he  was,  but  he  put  me  to  the  worse,  or  on 
foot  or  on  horseback  ;  and  that  day  that  he  was  slain  he 
did  the  most  deeds  of  arms  that  ever  I  saw  knight  do  in 
all  my  life  days.  And  when  him  was  given  the  degree  by 
my  lord  Arthur,  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  three  brethren,  Agra- 
vaine,  Gaheris,  and  Sir  Mordred,  set  upon  Sir  Lamorak  in 
a  privy  place,  and  there  they  slew  his  horse.  And  so  they 
fought  with  him  on  foot  more  than  three  hours,  both 
before  him  and  behind  him ;  and  Sir  Mordred  gave  him 
his  death  wound  behind  him  at  his  back,  and  all  to-hew 
him  :  for  one  of  his  squires  told  me  that  saw  it.  Fie 
upon  treason,  said  Sir  Tristram  for  it  killeth  my  heart  to 
hear  this  tale.  So  it  doth  miric,  id  Gareth  ;  brethren  as 
they  be  mine  I  shall  never  love  them,  nor  draw  in  their 
fellowship  for  that  deed. 

Now  speak  we  of  other  deeds,  said  Palomides,  and  let 
him  be,  for  his  life  ye  may  not  get  again.  That  is  the 
more  pity,  said  Dinadan,  for  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren, 
except  you  Sir  Gareth,  hate  all  the  good  knights  of  the 
Round  Table  for  the  most  part ;  for  well  I  wot  an  they 
might  privily,  they  hate  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot  and  all  his 
kin,  and  great  privy  despite  they  have  at  him  ;  and  that 
is  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot  well  ware  of,  and  that  causeth 
him  to  have  the  good  knights  of  his  kin  about  him. 

1  "  Y-wis  "  (certainly)  j  Caxton,  "  ye  wis  " ;  W.  de  Worde,  "  truly." 


JI2  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 


CHAPTER  LIX 

How  they  came  to  Humber  bank,  and  how  they  found  a  ship 
there,  wherein  lay  the  body  of  King  Hermance. 

SIR,  said  Palomides,  let  us  leave  of  this  matter,  and  let  us 
see  how  we  shall  do  at  this  tournament.  By  mine  advice, 
said  Palomides,  let  us  four  hold  together  against  all  that 
will  come.  Not  by  my  counsel,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  I 
see  by  their  pavilions  there  will  be  four  hundred  knights, 
and  doubt  ye  not,  said  Sir  Tristram,  but  there  will  be 
many  good  knights  ;  and  be  a  man  never  so  valiant  nor 
so  big,  yet  he  may  be  overmatched.  And  so  have  I  seen 
knights  done  many  times  ;  and  when  they  weened  best  to 
have  won  worship  they  lost  it,  for  manhood  is  not  worth 
but  if  it  be  medled  with  wisdom.  And  as  for  me,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  it  may  happen  I  shall  keep  mine  own  head 
as  well  as  another. 

So  thus  they  rode  until  that  they  came  to  Humber 
bank,  where  they  heard  a  cry  and  a  doleful  noise.  Then 
were  they  ware  in  the  wind  where  came  a  rich  vessel 
hilled  over  with  red  silk,  and  the  vessel  landed  fast  by 
them.  Therewith  Sir  Tristram  alighted  and  his  knights. 
And  so  Sir  Tristram  went  afore  and  entered  into  that 
vessel.  And  when  he  came  within  he  saw  a  fair  bed 
richly  covered,  and  thereupon  lay  a  dead  seemly  knight, 
all  armed  save  the  head,  was  all  be-bled  with  deadly 
wounds  upon  him,  the  which  seemed  to  be  a  passing  good 
knight.  How  may  this  be,  said  Sir  Tristram,  that  this 
knight  is  thus  slain  ?  Then  Sir  Tristram  was  ware  of  a 
letter  in  the  dead  knight's  hand.  Master  mariners,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  what  meaneth  that  letter  ?  Sir,  said  they, 
in  that  letter  ye  shall  hear  and  know  how  he  was  slain, 
and  for  what  cause,  and  what  was  his  name.  But  sir, 
said  the  mariners,  wit  ye  well  that  no  man  shall  take  that 
letter  and  read  it  but  if  he  be  a  good  knight,  and  that 
he  will  faithfully  promise  to  revenge  his  death,  else  shall 


CH.  LIX    OF  THE  VESSEL  ON  HUMBER  BANK       113 

there  be  no  knight  see  that  letter  open.  Wit  ye  well, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  that  some  of  us  may  revenge  his  death 
as  well  as  other,  and  if  it  be  so  as  ye  mariners  say  his 
death  shall  be  revenged.  And  therewith  Sir  Tristram 
took  the  letter  out  of  the  knight's  hand,  and  it  said  thus  : 
Hermance,  king  and  lord  of  the  Red  City,  I  send  unto 
all  knights  errant,  recommending  unto  you  noble  knights 
of  Arthur's  court.  I  beseech  them  all  among  them  to 
find  one  knight  that  will  fight  for  my  sake  with  two 
brethren  that  I  brought  up  of  nought,  and  feloniously 
and  traitorly  they  have  slain  me  ;  wherefore  I  beseech 
one  good  knight  to  revenge  my  death.  And  he  that 
revengeth  my  death  I  will  that  he  have  my  Red  City  and 
all  my  castles, 

Sir,  said  the  mariners,  wit  ye  well  this  king  and  knight 
that  here  lieth  was  a  full  worshipful  man  and  of  full 
great  prowess,  and  full  well  he  loved  all  manner  knights 
errants.  So  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Tristram,  here  is  a 
piteous  case,  and  full  fain  would  I  take  this  enterprise 
upon  me ;  but  I  have  made  such  a  promise  that  needs  I 
must  be  at  this  great  tournament,  or  else  I  am  shamed. 
For  well  I  wot  for  my  sake  in  especial  my  lord  Arthur  let 
make  this  jousts  and  tournament  in  this  country ;  and 
well  I  wot  that  many  worshipful  people  will  be  there  at 
that  tournament  for  to  see  me;  therefore  I  fear  me  to 
take  this  enterprise  upon  me  that  I  shall  not  come  again 
by  time  to  this  jousts.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  I  pray  you 
give  me  this  enterprise,  and  ye  shall  see  me  achieve  it 
worshipfully,  other  else  I  shall  die  in  this  quarrel.  Well, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  and  this  enterprise  I  give  you,  with 
this,  that  ye  be  with  me  at  this  tournament  that  shall  be 
as  this  day  seven  night.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  I  promise 
you  that  I  shall  be  with  you  by  that  day  if  I  be  unslain 
or  unmaimed. 


VOL.  II 


ii4  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 


CHAPTER   LX 

How  Sir  Tristram  with  his  fellowship  came  and  were  with 
an  host  which  after  fought  with  Sir  Tristram ;  an d 
other  matters. 

THEN  departed  Sir  Tristram,  Gareth,  and  Sir  Dinadan, 
and  left  Sir  Palomides  in  the  vessel ;  and  so  Sir  Tristram 
beheld  the  mariners  how  they  sailed  overlong  Humber. 
And  when  Sir  Palomides  was  out  of  their  sight  they  took 
their  horses  and  beheld  about  them.  And  then  were  they 
ware  of  a  knight  that  came  riding  against  them  unarmed, 
and  nothing  about  him  but  a  sword.  And  when  this 
knight  came  nigh  them  he  saluted  them,  and  they  him 
again.  Fair  knights,  said  that  knight,  I  pray  you  inso- 
much as  ye  be  knights  errant,  that  ye  will  come  and  see 
my  castle,  and  take  such  as  ye  find  there ;  I  pray  you 
heartily.  And  so  they  rode  with  him  until  his  castle,  and 
there  they  were  brought  into  the  hall,  that  was  well 
apparelled  ;  and  so  they  were  there  unarmed,  and  set  at  a 
board  ;  and  when  this  knight  saw  Sir  Tristram,  anon  he 
knew  him.  And  then  this  knight  waxed  pale  and  wroth 
at  Sir  Tristram.  When  Sir  Tristram  saw  his  host  make 
such  cheer  he  marvelled  and  said:  Sir,  mine  host,  what 
cheer  make  you?  Wit  thou  well,  said  he,  I  fare  the 
worse  for  thee,  for  I  know  thee,  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones, 
thou  slewest  my  brother ;  and  therefore  I  give  thee 
summons  I  will  slay  thee  an  ever  I  may  get  thee  at 
large.  Sir  knight,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  am  never  advised 
that  ever  I  slew  any  brother  of  yours  ;  and  if  ye  say  that 
I  did  I  will  make  amends  unto  my  power.  I  will  none 
amends,  said  the  knight,  but  keep  thee  from  me. 

So  when  he  had  dined  Sir  Tristram  asked  his  arms, 
and  departed.  And  so  they  rode  on  their  ways,  and 
within  a  while  Sir  Dinadan  saw  where  came  a  knight  well 
armed  and  well  horsed,  without  shield.  Sir  Tristram, 
said  Sir  Dinadan,  take  keep  to  yourself,  for  I  dare  under- 


CHAP.  LX      OF  THE  FIGHT  FOR  AN  HELM  115 

take  yonder  cometh  your  host  that  will  have  ado  with 
you.  Let  him  come,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  shall  abide 
him  as  well  as  I  may.  Anon  the  knight,  when  he  came 
nigh  Sir  Tristram,  he  cried  and  bade  him  abide  and  keep 
him.  So  they  hurtled  together,  but  Sir  Tristram  smote 
the  other  knight  so  sore  that  he  bare  him  over  his  horse's 
croup.  That  knight  arose  lightly  and  took  his  horse 
again,  and  so  rode  fiercely  to  Sir  Tristram,  and  smote  him 
twice  hard  upon  the  helm.  Sir  knight,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
I  pray  you  leave  off  and  smite  me  no  more,  for  I  would 
be  loath  to  deal  with  you  an  I  might  choose,  for  I  have 
your  meat  and  your  drink  within  my  body.  For  all  that 
he  would  not  leave  ;  and  then  Sir  Tristram  gave  him 
such  a  buffet  upon  the  helm  that  he  fell  up-so-down  from 
his  horse,  that  the  blood  brast  out  at  the  ventails  of  his 
helm,  and  so  he  Jay  still  likely  to  be  dead.  Then  Sir 
Tristram  said  :  Me  repenteth  of  this  buffet  that  I  smote 
so  sore,  for  as  I  suppose  he  is  dead.  And  so  they  left 
him  and  rode  on  their  ways. 

So  they  had  not  ridden  but  a  while,  but  they  saw 
riding  against  them  two  full  likely  knights,  well  armed 
and  well  horsed,  and  goodly  servants  about  them.  The 
one  was  Berrant  le  Apres,  and  he  was  called  the  King 
with  the  Hundred  Knights ;  and  the  other  was  Sir 
Segwarides,  which  were  renowned  two  noble  knights.  So 
as  they  came  either  by  other  the  king  looked  upon  Sir 
Dinadan,  that  at  that  time  he  had  Sir  Tristram's  helm 
upon  his  shoulder,  the  which  helm  the  king  had  seen 
to-fore  with  the  Queen  of  Northgalis,  and  that  queen  the 
king  loved  as  paramour  ;  and  that  helm  the  Queen  of 
Northgalis  had  given  to  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  the  queen 
La  Beale  Isoud  gave  it  to  Sir  Tristram.  Sir  knight,  said 
Berrant,  where  had  ye  that  helm  ?  What  would  ye  ?  said 
Sir  Dinadan.  For  I  will  have  ado  with  thee,  said  the 
king,  for  the  love  of  her  that  owed  that  helm,  and  there- 
fore keep  you.  So  they  departed  and  came  together  with 
all  their  mights  of  their  horses,  and  there  the  King  with 
the  Hundred  Knights  smote  Sir  Dinadan,  horse  and  all, 
to  the  earth  ;  and  then  he  commanded  his  servant :  Go 


n6  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

and  take  thou  his  helm  off,  and  keep  it.  So  the  varlet 
went  to  unbuckle  his  helm.  What  helm,  what  wilt  thou 
do  ?  said  Sir  Tristram,  leave  that  helm.  To  what  intent, 
said  the  king,  will  ye,  sir  knight,  meddle  with  that  helm  ? 
Wit  you  well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  that  helm  shall  not  depart 
from  me  or  it  be  dearer  bought.  Then  make  you  ready, 
said  Sir  Berrant  unto  Sir  Tristram.  So  they  hurtled 
together,  and  there  Sir  Tristram  smote  him  down  over  his 
horse's  tail ;  and  then  the  king  arose  lightly,  and  gat  his 
horse  lightly  again.  And  then  he  struck  fiercely  at  Sir 
Tristram  many  great  strokes.  And  then  Sir  Tristram 
gave  Sir  Berrant  such  a  buffet  upon  the  helm  that  he  fell 
down  over  his  horse  sore  stonied.  Lo,  said  Dinadan,  that 
helm  is  unhappy  to  us  twain,  for  I  had  a  fall  for  it,  and 
now,  sir  king,  have  ye  another  fall. 

Then  Segwarides  asked  :  Who  shall  joust  with  me  ? 
I  pray  thee,  said  Sir  Gareth  unto  Dinadan,  let  me  have 
this  jousts.  Sir,  said  Dinadan,  I  pray  you  take  it  as  for  me. 
That  is  no  reason,  said  Tristram,  for  this  jousts  should 
be  yours.  At  a  word,  said  Dinadan,  I  will  not  thereof. 
Then  Gareth  dressed  him  to  Sir  Segwarides,  and  there  Sir 
Segwarides  smote  Gareth  and  his  horse  to  the  earth. 
Now,  said  Sir  Tristram  to  Dinadan,  joust  with  yonder 
knight.  I  will  not  thereof,  said  Dinadan.  Then  will  I, 
said  Sir  Tristram.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  ran  to  him, 
and  gave  him  a  fall ;  and  so  they  left  them  on  foot,  and 
Sir  Tristram  rode  unto  Joyous  Gard,  and  there  Sir  Gareth 
would  not  of  his  courtesy  have  gone  into  this  castle,  but 
Sir  Tristram  would  not  suffer  him  to  depart.  And  so 
they  alighted  and  unarmed  them,  and  had  great  cheer. 
But  when  Dinadan  came  afore  La  Beale  Isoud  he  cursed 
the  time  that  ever  he  bare  Sir  Tristram's  helm,  and  there 
he  told  her  how  Sir  Tristram  had  mocked  him.  Then 
was  there  laughing  and  japing  at  Sir  Dinadan,  that  they 
wist  not  what  to  do  with  him. 


CH.  LXI  OF  THE  DEATH  OF  KING  HERMANCE    117 


CHAPTER  LXI 

How  Palomides  went  for  to  fight  with  two  brethren  for  the 
death  of  King  Hermance. 

Now  will  we  leave  them  merry  within  Joyous  Card,  and 
speak  we  of  Sir  Palomides.  Then  Sir  Palomides  sailed 
evenlong  Humber  to  the  coasts  of  the  sea,  where  was  a 
fair  castle.  And  at  that  time  it  was  early  in  the  morning, 
afore  day.  Then  the  mariners  went  unto  Sir  Palomides 
that  slept  fast.  Sir  knight,  said  the  mariners,  ye  must 
arise,  for  here  is  a  castle  there  ye  must  go  into.  I  assent 
me,  said  Sir  Palomides  ;  and  therewithal  he  arrived.  And 
then  he  blew  his  horn  that  the  mariners  had  given  him. 
And  when  they  within  the  castle  heard  that  horn  they  put 
forth  many  knights  ;  and  there  they  stood  upon  the  walls, 
and  said  with  one  voice  :  Welcome  be  ye  to  this  castle. 
And  then  it  waxed  clear  day,  and  Sir  Palomides  entered 
into  the  castle.  And  within  a  while  he  was  served  with 
many  divers  meats.  Then  Sir  Palomides  heard  about  him 
much  weeping  and  great  dole.  What  may  this  mean  ? 
said  Sir  Palomides  ;  I  love  not  to  hear  such  a  sorrow,  and 
fain  I  would  know  what  it  meaneth.  Then  there  came 
afore  him  one  whose  name  was  Sir  Ebel,  that  said  thus  : 
Wit  ye  well,  sir  knight,  this  dole  and  sorrow  is  here  made 
every  day,  and  for  this  cause  :  we  had  a  king  that  hight 
Hermance,  and  he  was  King  of  the  Red  City,  and  this 
king  that  was  lord  was  a  noble  knight,  large  and  liberal  of 
his  expense  ;  and  in  the  world  he  loved  nothing  so  much 
as  he  did  errant  knights  of  King  Arthur's  court,  and  all 
jousting,  hunting,  and  all  manner  of  knightly  games  ;  for 
so  kind  a  king  and  knight  had  never  the  rule  of  poor 
people  as  he  was  ;  and  because  of  his  goodness  and  gentle- 
ness we  bemoan  him,  and  ever  shall.  And  all  kings  and 
estates  may  beware  by  our  lord,  for  he  was  destroyed  in 
his  own  default ;  for  had  he  cherished  them  of  his  blood 
he  had  yet  lived  with  great  riches  and  rest :  but  all  estates 


u8  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

may  beware  by  our  king.     But  alas,  said  Ebel,  that  we 
shall  give  all  other  warning  by  his  death. 

Tell  me,  said  Palomides,  and  in  what  manner  was 
your  lord  slain,  and  by  whom.  Sir,  said  Sir  Ebel,  our 
king  brought  up  of  children  two  men  that  now  are 
perilous  knights ;  and  these  two  knights  our  king  had  so 
in  charity,  that  he  loved  no  man  nor  trusted  no  man  of 
his  blood,  nor  none  other  that  was  about  him.  And  by 
these  two  knights  our  king  was  governed,  and  so  they 
ruled  him  peaceably  and  his  lands,  and  never  would  they 
suffer  none  of  his  blood  to  have  no  rule  with  our  king. 
And  also  he  was  so  free  and  so  gentle,  and  they  so  false 
and  deceivable,  that  they  ruled  him  peaceably  ;  and  that 
espied  the  lords  of  our  king's  blood,  and  departed  from 
him  unto  their  own  livelihood.  Then  when  these  two 
traitors  understood  that  they  had  driven  all  the  lords  of 
his  blood  from  him,  they  were  not  pleased  with  that  rule, 
but  then  they  thought  to  have  more,  as  ever  it  is  an  old 
saw :  Give  a  churl  rule  and  thereby  he  will  not  be 
sufficed ;  for  whatsomever  he  be  that  is  ruled  by  a  villain 
born,  and  the  lord  of  the  soil  to  be  a  gentleman  born,  the 
same  villain  shall  destroy  all  the  gentlemen  about  him  : 
therefore  all  estates  and  lords,  beware  whom  ye  take  about 
you.  And  if  ye  be  a  knight  of  King  Arthur's  court  re- 
member this  tale,  for  this  is  the  end  and  conclusion.  My 
lord  and  king  rode  unto  the  forest  hereby  by  the  advice 
of  these  traitors,  and  there  he  chased  at  the  red  deer, 
armed  at  all  pieces  full  like  a  good  knight ;  and  so  for 
labour  he  waxed  dry,  and  then  he  alighted,  and  drank  at 
a  well.  And  when  he  was  alighted,  by  the  assent  of  these 
two  traitors,  that  one  that  night  Helius  he  suddenly  smote 
our  king  through  the  body  with  a  spear,  and  so  they 
left  him  there.  And  when  they  were  departed,  then  by 
fortune  I  came  to  the  well,  and  found  my  lord  and  king 
wounded  to  the  death.  And  when  I  heard  his  complaint, 
I  let  bring  him  to  the  water  side,  and  in  that  same  ship  I 
put  him  alive  ;  and  when  my  lord  King  Hermance  was  in 
that  vessel,  he  required  me  for  the  true  faith  I  owed  unto 
him  for  to  write  a  letter  in  this  manner. 


CH.LXII     THE  LETTER  AS  TO  HIS  DEATH  119 


CHAPTER   LXII 

The  copy  of  the  letter  written  for  to  revenge  the  king's  death , 
and  how  Sir  Palomides  fought  for  to  have  the  battle. 

RECOMMENDING  unto  King  Arthur  and  to  all  his  knights 
errant,  beseeching  them  all  that  insomuch  as  I,  King 
Hermance,  King  of  the  Red  City,  thus  am  slain  by  felony 
and  treason,  through  two  knights  of  mine  own,  and  of 
mine  own  bringing  up  and  of  mine  own  making,  that 
some  worshipful  knight  will  revenge  my  death,  insomuch 
I  have  been  ever  to  my  power  well  willing  unto  Arthur's 
court.  And  who  that  will  adventure  his  life  with  these 
two  traitors  for  my  sake  in  one  battle,  I,  King  Hermance, 
King  of  the  Red  City,  freely  give  him  all  my  lands  and 
rents  that  ever  I  wielded  in  my  life.  This  letter,  said 
Ebel,  I  wrote  by  my  lord's  commandment,  and  then  he 
received  his  Creator  ;  and  when  he  was  dead,  he  com- 
manded me  or  ever  he  were  cold  to  put  that  letter  fast 
in  his  hand.  And  then  he  commanded  me  to  put  forth 
that  same  vessel  down  Humber,  and  I  should  give  these 
mariners  in  commandment  never  to  stint  until  that  they 
came  unto  Logris,  where  all  the  noble  knights  shall  as- 
semble at  this  time.  And  there  shall  some  good  knight 
have  pity  on  me  to  revenge  my  death,  for  there  was 
never  king  nor  lord  falslier  nor  traitorlier  slain  than  I 
am  here  to  my  death.  Thus  was  the  complaint  of  our 
King  Hermance.  Now,  said  Sir  Ebel,  ye  know  all  how 
our  lord  was  betrayed,  we  require  you  for  God's  sake 
have  pity  upon  his  death,  and  worshipfully  revenge  his 
death,  and  then  may  ye  wield  all  these  lands.  For  we  all 
wit  well  that  an  ye  may  slay  these  two  traitors,  the  Red 
City  and  all  those  that  be  therein  will  take  you  for  their 
lord. 

Truly,  said  Sir  Palomides,  it  grieveth  my  heart  for  to 
hear  you  tell  this  doleful  tale  ;  and  to  say  the  truth  I  saw 
the  same  letter  that  ye  speak  of,  and  one  of  the  best 


120  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

knights  on  the  earth  read  that  letter  to  me,  and  by  his 
commandment  I  came  hither  to  revenge  your  king's  death ; 
and  therefore  have  done,  and  let  me  wit  where  I  shall  find 
those  traitors,  for  I  shall  never  be  at  ease  in  my  heart  till 
I  be  in  hands  with  them.  Sir,  said  Sir  Ebel,  then  take 
your  ship  again,  and  that  ship  must  bring  you  unto  the 
Delectable  Isle,  fast  by  the  Red  City,  and  we  in  this  castle 
shall  pray  for  you,  and  abide  your  again-coming.  For 
this  same  castle,  an  ye  speed  well,  must  needs  be  yours  ; 
for  our  King  Hermance  let  make  this  castle  for  the  love 
of  the  two  traitors,  and  so  we  kept  it  with  strong  hand, 
and  therefore  full  sore  are  we  threated.  Wot  ye  what  ye 
shall  do,  said  Sir  Palomides  ;  whatsomever  come  of  me, 
look  ye  keep  well  this  castle.  For  an  it  misfortune  me 
so  to  be  slain  in  this  quest  I  am  sure  there  will  come  one 
of  the  best  knights  of  the  world  for  to  revenge  my  death, 
and  that  is  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones,  or  else  Sir  Launcelot 
du  Lake. 

Then  Sir  Palomides  departed  from  that  castle.  And 
as  he  came  nigh  the  city,  there  came  out  of  a  ship  a 
goodly  knight  armed  against  him,  with  his  shield  on  his 
shoulder,  and  his  hand  upon  his  sword.  And  anon  as  he 
came  nigh  Sir  Palomides  he  said  :  Sir  knight,  what  seek 
ye  here  ?  leave  this  quest  for  it  is  mine,  and  mine  it  was 
or  ever  it  was  yours,  and  therefore  I  will  have  it.  Sir 
knight,  said  Palomides,  it  may  well  be  that  this  quest  was 
yours  or  it  was  mine,  but  when  the  letter  was  taken  out 
of  the  dead  king's  hand,  at  that  time  by  likelihood  there 
was  no  knight  had  undertaken  to  revenge  the  death  of 
the  king.  And  so  at  that  time  I  promised  to  revenge  his 
death,  and  so  I  shall  or  else  I  am  ashamed.  Ye  say  well, 
said  the  knight,  but  wit  ye  well  then  will  I  fight  with  you, 
and  who  be  the  better  knight  of  us  both,  let  him  take  the 
battle  upon  hand.  I  assent  me,  said  Sir  Palomides.  And 
then  they  dressed  their  shields,  and  pulled  out  their 
swords,  and  lashed  together  many  sad  strokes  as  men  of 
might ;  and  this  fighting  was  more  than  an  hour,  but  at 
the  last  Sir  Palomides  waxed  big  and  better  winded,  so 
that  then  he  smote  that  knight  such  a  stroke  that  he  made 


CH.  LXIII     OF  PALOMIDES'  PREPARATION  121 

him  to  kneel  upon  his  knees.  Then  that  knight  spake  on 
high  and  said  :  Gentle  knight,  hold  thy  hand.  Sir  Palo- 
mides  was  goodly  and  withdrew  his  hand.  Then  this 
knight  said  :  Wit  ye  well,  knight,  that  thou  art  better 
worthy  to  have  this  battle  than  I,  and  require  thee  of 
knighthood  tell  me  thy  name.  Sir,  my  name  is  Palo- 
mides,  a  knight  of  King  Arthur's,  and  of  the  Table 
Round,  that  hither  I  came  to  revenge  the  death  of  this 
dead  king. 


CHAPTER   LXIII 

Of  the  preparation  of  Sir  Palomides  and  the  two  brethren 
that  should  fight  with  him. 

WELL  be  ye  found,  said  the  knight  to  Palomides,  for 
of  all  knights  that  be  alive,  except  three,  I  had  liefest 
have  you.  The  first  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and 
Sir  Tristram  de  Liones,  the  third  is  my  nigh  cousin, 
Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis.  And  I  am  brother  unto  King 
Hermance  that  is  dead,  and  my  name  is  Sir  Hermind. 
Ye  say  well,  said  Sir  Palomides,  and  ye  shall  see  how  I 
shall  speed  ;  and  if  I  be  there  slain  go  ye  to  my  lord  Sir 
Launcelot,  or  else  to  my  lord  Sir  Tristram,  and  pray  them 
to  revenge  my  death,  for  as  for  Sir  Lamorak  him  shall  ye 
never  see  in  this  world.  Alas,  said  Sir  Hermind,  how 
may  that  be  ?  He  is  slain,  said  Sir  Palomides,  by  Sir 
Gawaine  and  his  brethren.  So  God  me  help,  said  Her- 
mind, there  was  not  one  for  one  that  slew  him.  That  is 
truth,  said  Sir  Palomides,  for  they  were  four  dangerous 
knights  that  slew  him,  as  Sir  Gawaine,  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir 
Gaheris,  and  Sir  Mordred,  but  Sir  Gareth,  the  fifth 
brother  was  away,  the  best  knight  of  them  all.  And  so 
Sir  Palomides  told  Hermind  all  the  manner,  and  how  they 
slew  Sir  Lamorak  all  only  by  treason. 

So  Sir  Palomides  took  his  ship,  and  arrived  up  at  the 
Delectable  Isle.  And  in  the  meanwhile  Sir  Hermind  that 
was  the  king's  brother,  he  arrived  up  at  the  Red  City,  and 


122  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

there  he  told  them  how  there  was  come  a  knight  of  King 
Arthur's  to  avenge  King  Hermance's  death  :  And  his 
name  is  Sir  Palomides,  the  good  knight,  that  for  the 
most  part  he  followeth  the  beast  Glatisant.  Then  all  the 
city  made  great  joy,  for  mickle  had  they  heard  of  Sir 
Palomides,  and  of  his  noble  prowess.  So  let  they  ordain 
a  messenger,  and  sent  unto  the  two  brethren,  and  bade 
them  to  make  them  ready,  for  there  was  a  knight  come 
that  would  fight  with  them  both.  So  the  messenger  went 
unto  them  where  they  were  at  a  castle  there  beside  ;  and 
there  he  told  them  how  there  was  a  knight  come  of  King 
Arthur's  court  to  fight  with  them  both  at  once.  He  is 
welcome,  said  they  ;  but  tell  us,  we  pray  you,  if  it  be  Sir 
Launcelot  or  any  of  his  blood  ?  He  is  none  of  that  blood, 
said  the  messenger.  Then  we  care  the  less,  said  the  two 
brethren,  for  with  none  of  the  blood  of  Sir  Launcelot  we 
keep  not  to  have  ado  withal.  Wit  ye  well,  said  the 
messenger,  that  his  name  is  Sir  Palomides,  that  yet  is 
unchristened,  a  noble  knight.  Well,  said  they,  an  he  be 
now  unchristened  he  shall  never  be  christened.  So  they 
appointed  to  be  at  the  city  within  two  days 

And  when  Sir  Palomides  was  come  to  the  city  they 
made  passing  great  joy  of  him,  and  then  they  beheld  him, 
and  saw  that  he  was  well  made,  cleanly  and  bigly,  and 
unmaimed  of  his  limbs,  and  neither  too  young  nor  too  old. 
And  so  all  the  people  praised  him  ;  and  though  he  was 
not  christened  yet  he  believed  in  the  best  manner,  and  was 
full  faithful  and  true  of  his  promise,  and  well  conditioned  ; 
and  because  he  made  his  avow  that  he  would  never  be 
christened  unto  the  time  that  he  had  achieved  the  beast 
Glatisant,  the  which  was  a  full  wonderful  beast,  and  a 
great  signification  ;  for  Merlin  prophesied  much  of  that 
beast.  And  also  Sir  Palomides  avowed  never  to  take  full 
Christendom  unto  the  time  that  he  had  done  seven  battles 
within  the  lists. 

So  within  the  third  day  there  came  to  the  city  these 
two  brethren,  the  one  hight  Helius,  the  other  hight 
Helake,  the  which  were  men  of  great  prowess  ;  howbeit 
that  they  were  false  and  full  of  treason,  and  but  poor  men 


CH.  LXIV    HOW  HERMANCE  WAS  AVENGED          123 

born,  yet  were  they  noble  knights  of  their  hands.  And 
with  them  they  brought  forty  knights,  to  that  intent  that 
they  should  be  big  enough  for  the  Red  City.  Thus  came 
the  two  brethren  with  great  bobaunce  and  pride,  for  they 
had  put  the  Red  City  in  fear  and  damage.  Then  they 
were  brought  to  the  lists,  and  Sir  Palomides  came  into  the 
place  and  said  thus  :  Be  ye  the  two  brethren,  Helius  and 
Helake,  that  slew  your  king  and  lord,  Sir  Hermance,  by 
felony  and  treason,  for  whom  that  I  am  come  hither  to 
revenge  his  death  ?  Wit  thou  well,  said  Sir  Helius  and 
Sir  Helake,  that  we  are  the  same  knights  that  slew  King 
Hermance  ;  and  wit  thou  well,  Sir  Palomides  Saracen,  that 
we  shall  handle  thee  so  or  thou  depart  that  thou  shalt 
wish  that  thou  wert  christened.  It  may  well  be,  said  Sir 
Palomides,  for  yet  I  would  not  die  or  I  were  christened  ; 
and  yet  so  am  I  not  afeard  of  you  both,  but  I  trust  to  God 
that  I  shall  die  a  better  Christian  man  than  any  of  you 
both  ;  and  doubt  ye  not,  said  Sir  Palomides,  either  ye  or  I 
shall  be  left  dead  in  this  place. 


CHAPTER  LXIV 

Of  the  battle  between  Sir  Palomides  and  the  two  brethren, 
and  how  the  two  brethren  were  slain. 

THEN  they  departed,  and  the  two  brethren  came  against 
Sir  Palomides,  and  he  against  them,  as  fast  as  their  horses 
might  run.  And  by  fortune  Sir  Palomides  smote  Helake 
through  his  shield  and  through  the  breast  more  than  a 
fathom.  All  this  while  Sir  Helius  held  up  his  spear,  and 
for  pride  and  orgulite  he  would  not  smite  Sir  Palomides 
with  his  spear  ;  but  when  he  saw  his  brother  lie  on  the 
earth,  and  saw  he  might  not  help  himself,  then  he  said 
unto  Sir  Palomides  :  Help  thyself.  And  therewith  he 
came  hurtling  unto  Sir  Palomides  with  his  spear,  and 
smote  him  quite  from  his  saddle.  Then  Sir  Helius  rode 
over  Sir  Palomides  twice  or  thrice.  And  therewith  Sir 


124  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

Palomides  was  ashamed,  and  gat  the  horse  of  Sir  Helius 
by  the  bridle,  and  therewithal  the  horse  areared,  and  Sir 
Palomides  halp  after,  and  so  they  fell  both  to  the  earth  ; 
but  anon  Sir  Helius  stert  up  lightly,  and  there  he  smote 
Sir  Palomides  a  great  stroke  upon  the  helm,  that  he 
kneeled  upon  his  own  knee.  Then  they  lashed  together 
many  sad  strokes,  and  traced  and  traversed  now  backward, 
now  sideling,  hurtling  together  like  two  boars,  and  that 
same  time  they  fell  both  grovelling  to  the  earth. 

Thus  they  fought  still  without  any  reposing  two  hours, 
and  never  breathed  ;  and  then  Sir  Palomides  waxed  faint 
and  weary,  and  Sir  Helius  waxed  passing  strong,  and 
doubled  his  strokes,  and  drove  Sir  Palomides  overthwart 
and  endlong  all  the  field,  that  they  of  the  city  when  they 
saw  Sir  Palomides  in  this  case  they  wept  and  cried,  and 
made  great  dole,  and  the  other  party  made  as  great  joy. 
Alas,  said  the  men  of  the  city,  that  this  noble  knight 
should  thus  be  slain  for  our  king's  sake.  And  as  they 
were  thus  weeping  and  crying,  Sir  Palomides  that  had 
suffered  an  hundred  strokes,  that  it  was  wonder  that  he 
stood  on  his  feet,  at  the  last  Sir  Palomides  beheld  as  he 
might  the  common  people,  how  they  wept  for  him  ;  and 
then  he  said  to  himself :  Ah,  fie  for  shame,  Sir  Palomides, 
why  hangest  thou  thy  head  so  low  ;  and  therewith  he  bare 
up  his  shield,  and  looked  Sir  Helius  in  the  visage,  and  he 
smote  him  a  great  stroke  upon  the  helm,  and  after  that 
another  and  another.  And  then  he  smote  Sir  Helius  with 
such  a  might  that  he  fell  to  the  earth  grovelling ;  and 
then  he  raced  off"  his  helm  from  his  head,  and  there  he 
smote  him  such  a  buffet  that  he  departed  his  head  from 
the  body.  And  then  were  the  people  of  the  city  the 
joyfullest  people  that  might  be.  So  they  brought  him  to 
his  lodging  with  great  solemnity,  and  there  all  the  people 
became  his  men.  And  then  Sir  Palomides  prayed  them 
all  to  take  keep  unto  all  the  lordship  of  King  Hermance  : 
For,  fair  sirs,  wit  ye  well  I  may  not  as  at  this  time  abide 
with  you,  for  I  must  in  all  haste  be  with  my  lord  King 
Arthur  at  the  Castle  of  Lonazep,  the  which  I  have 
promised.  Then  was  the  people  full  heavy  at  his 


CH.LXV      OF  TRISTRAM  AND  PALOMIDES  125 

departing,  for  all  that  city  proffered  Sir  Palomides  the 
third  part  of  their  goods  so  that  he  would  abide  with 
them  ;  but  in  no  wise  as  at  that  time  he  would  not 
abide. 

And  so  Sir  Palomides  departed,  and  so  he  came  unto 
the  castle  thereas  Sir  Ebel  was  lieutenant.  And  when  they 
in  the  castle  wist  how  Sir  Palomides  had  sped,  there  was  a 
joyful  meiny  ;  and  so  Sir  Palomides  departed,  and  came 
to  the  castle  of  Lonazep.  And  when  he  wist  that  Sir 
Tristram  was  not  there  he  took  his  way  over  Humber, 
and  came  unto  Joyous  Card,  whereas  Sir  Tristram  was 
and  La  Beale  Isoud.  Sir  Tristram  had  commanded  that 
what  knight  errant  came  within  the  Joyous  Card,  as  in 
the  town,  that  they  should  warn  Sir  Tristram.  So  there 
came  a  man  of  the  town,  and  told  Sir  Tristram  how  there 
was  a  knight  in  the  town,  a  passing  goodly  man.  What 
manner  of  man  is  he,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and  what  sign 
beareth  he  ?  So  the  man  told  Sir  Tristram  all  the  tokens 
of  him.  That  is  Palomides,  said  Dinadan.  It  may  well 
be,  said  Sir  Tristram.  Go  ye  to  him,  said  Sir  Tristram 
unto  Dinadan.  So  Dinadan  went  unto  Sir  Palomides, 
and  there  either  made  other  great  joy,  and  so  they  lay 
together  that  night.  And  on  the  morn  early  came  Sir 
Tristram  and  Sir  Gareth,  and  took  them  in  their  beds,  and 
so  they  arose  and  brake  their  fast. 


CHAPTER   LXV 

How  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  met  B reuse  Saunce 
Pite,  and  how  Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beale  Isoud  went 
unto  Lonazep. 

AND  then  Sir  Tristram  desired  Sir  Palomides  to  ride  into 
the  fields  and  woods.  So  they  were  accorded  to  repose 
them  in  the  forest.  And  when  they  had  played  them  a 
great  while  they  rode  unto  a  fair  well  ;  and  anon  they 
were  ware  of  an  armed  knight  that  came  riding  against 


126  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

them,  and  there  either  saluted  other.  Then  this  armed 
knight  spake  to  Sir  Tristram,  and  asked  what  were  these 
knights  that  were  lodged  in  Joyous  Gard.  I  wot  not 
what  they  are,  said  Sir  Tristram.  What  knights  be  ye? 
said  that  knight,  for  meseemeth  ye  be  no  knights  errant, 
because  ye  ride  unarmed.  Whether  we  be  knights  or  not 
we  list  not  to  tell  thee  our  name.  Wilt  thou  not  tell  me 
thy  name  ?  said  that  knight ;  then  keep  thee,  for  thou 
shalt  die  of  my  hands.  And  therewith  he  got  his  spear 
in  his  hands,  and  would  have  run  Sir  Tristram  through. 
That  saw  Sir  Palomides,  and  smote  his  horse  traverse  in 
midst  of  the  side,  that  man  and  horse  fell  to  the  earth. 
And  therewith  Sir  Palomides  alighted  and  pulled  out  his 
sword  to  have  slain  him.  Let  be,  said  Sir  Tristram,  slay 
him  not,  the  knight  is  but  a  fool,  it  were  shame  to  slay 
him.  But  take  away  his  spear,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and  let 
him  take  his  horse  and  go  where  that  he  will. 

So  when  this  knight  arose  he  groaned  sore  of  the  fall, 
and  so  he  took  his  horse,  and  when  he  was  up  he  turned 
then  his  horse,  and  required  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides 
to  tell  him  what  knights  they  were.  Now  wit  ye  well, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  that  my  name  is  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones, 
and  this  knight's  name  is  Sir  Palomides.  When  he  wist 
what  they  were  he  took  his  horse  with  the  spurs,  because 
they  should  not  ask  him  his  name,  and  so  rode  fast  away 
through  thick  and  thin.  Then  came  there  by  them  a 
knight  with  a  bended  shield  of  azure,  whose  name  was 
Epinogris,  and  he  came  toward  them  a  great  wallop. 
Whither  are  ye  riding  ?  said  Sir  Tristram.  My  fair  lords, 
said  Epinogris,  I  follow  the  falsest  knight  that  beareth 
the  life ;  wherefore  I  require  you  tell  me  whether  ye  saw 
him,  for  he  beareth  a  shield  with  a  case  of  red  over  it.  So 
God  me  help,  said  Tristram,  such  a  knight  departed  from 
us  not  a  quarter  of  an  hour  agone  ;  we  pray  you  tell  us 
his  name.  Alas,  said  Epinogris,  why  let  ye  him  escape 
from  you?  and  he  is  so  great  a  foe  unto  all  errant 
knights  :  his  name  is  Breuse  Saunce  Pite.  Ah,  fie  for 
shame,  said  Sir  Palomides,  alas  that  ever  he  escaped  mine 
hands,  for  he  is  the  man  in  the  world  that  I  hate  most. 


CH.LXV    HOW  THEY  WENT  TO  LONAZEP          127 

Then  every  knight  made  great  sorrow  to  other  ;  and  so 
Epinogris  departed  and  followed  the  chase  after  him. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  and  his  three  fellows  rode  unto 
Joyous  Card;  and  there  Sir  Tristram  talked  unto  Sir 
Palomides  of  his  battle,  how  he  sped  at  the  Red  City,  and 
as  ye  have  heard  afore  so  was  it  ended.  Truly,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  I  am  glad  ye  have  well  sped,  for  ye  have  done 
worshipfully.  Well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  we  must  forward 
to-morn.  And  then  he  devised  how  it  should  be ;  and 
Sir  Tristram  devised  to  send  his  two  pavilions  to  set 
them  fast  by  the  well  of  Lonazep,  and  therein  shall  be 
the  queen  La  Beale  Isoud.  It  is  well  said,  said  Sir 
Dinadan,  but  when  Sir  Palomides  heard  of  that  his  heart 
was  ravished  out  of  measure  :  notwithstanding  he  said 
but  little.  So  when  they  came  to  Joyous  Card  Sir 
Palomides  would  not  have  gone  into  the  castle,  but  as 
Sir  Tristram  took  him  by  the  finger,  and  led  him  into 
the  castle.  And  when  Sir  Palomides  saw  La  Beale  Isoud 
he  was  ravished  so  that  he  might  unnethe  speak.  So  they 
went  unto  meat,  but  Palomides  might  not  eat,  and  there 
was  all  the  cheer  that  might  be  had.  And  on  the  morn 
they  were  apparelled  to  ride  toward  Lonazep. 

So  Sir  Tristram  had  three  squires,  and  La  Beale  Isoud 
had  three  gentlewomen,  and  both  the  queen  and  they 
were  richly  apparelled  ;  and  other  people  had  they  none 
with  them,  but  varlets  to  bear  their  shields  and  their 
spears.  And  thus  they  rode  forth.  So  as  they  rode  they 
saw  afore  them  a  rout  of  knights  ;  it  was  the  knight 
Galihodin  with  twenty  knights  with  him.  Fair  fellows, 
said  Galihodin,  yonder  come  four  knights,  and  a  rich  and 
a  well  fair  lady  :  I  am  in  will  to  take  that  lady  from 
them.  That  is  not  of  the  best  counsel,  said  one  of 
Galihodin's  men,  but  send  ye  to  them  and  wit  what  they 
will  say  ;  and  so  it  was  done.  There  came  a  squire  unto 
Sir  Tristram,  and  asked  them  whether  they  would  joust 
or  else  to  lose  their  lady.  Not  so,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
tell  your  lord  I  bid  him  come  as  many  as  we  be,  and 
win  her  and  take  her.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  an  it  please 
you  let  me  have  this  deed,  and  I  shall  undertake  them 


128  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

all  four.  I  will  that  ye  have  it,  said  Sir  Tristram,  at 
your  pleasure.  Now  go  and  tell  your  lord  Galihodin, 
that  this  same  knight  will  encounter  with  him  and  his 
fellows. 


CHAPTER   LXVI 

How  Sir  Palomides  jousted  with  Sir  Galihodin ',  and  after 
with  Sir  Gawaine,  and  smote  them  down. 

THEN  this  squire  departed  and  told  Galihodin  ;  and  then 
he  dressed  his  shield,  and  put  forth  a  spear,  and  Sir 
Palomides  another ;  and  there  Sir  Palomides  smote 
Galihodin  so  hard  that  he  smote  both  horse  and  man  to 
the  earth.  And  there  he  had  an  horrible  fall.  And  then 
came  there  another  knight,  and  in  the  same  wise  he 
served  him ;  and  so  he  served  the  third  and  the  fourth, 
that  he  smote  them  over  their  horses'  croups,  and  always 
Sir  Palomides'  spear  was  whole.  Then  came  six  knights 
more  of  Galihodin's  men,  and  would  have  been  avenged 
upon  Sir  Palomides.  Let  be,  said  Sir  Galihodin,  not  so 
hardy,  none  of  you  all  meddle  with  this  knight,  for  he 
is  a  man  of  great  bounte  and  honour,  and  if  he  would  ye 
were  not  able  to  meddle  with  him.  And  right  so  they 
held  them  still.  And  ever  Sir  Palomides  was  ready  to 
joust ;  and  when  he  saw  they  would  no  more  he  rode 
unto  Sir  Tristram.  Right  well  have  ye  done,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  and  worshipfully  have  ye  done  as  a  good 
knight  should.  This  Galihodin  was  nigh  cousin  unto 
Galahalt,  the  haut  prince  ;  and  this  Galihodin  was  a  king 
within  the  country  of  Surluse. 

So  as  Sir  Tristram,  Sir  Palomides,  and  La  Beale  Isoud 
rode  together  they  saw  afore  them  four  knights,  and  every 
man  had  his  spear  in  his  hand  :  the  first  was  Sir  Gawaine, 
the  second  Sir  Uwaine,  the  third  Sir  Sagramore  le  Desirous, 
and  the  fourth  was  Dodinas  le  Savage.  When  Sir  Palo- 
mides beheld  them,  that  the  four  knights  were  ready  to 
joust,  he  prayed  Sir  Tristram  to  give  him  leave  to  have 


CH.  LXVI   OF  PALOMIDES  AND  GALIHODIN  129 

ado  with  them  all  so  long  as  he  might  hold  him  on  horse- 
back. And  if  that  I  be  smitten  down  I  pray  you  revenge 
me.  Well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will  as  ye  will,  and  ye  are 
not  so  fain  to  have  worship  but  I  would  as  fain  increase 
your  worship.  And  therewithal  Sir  Gawaine  put  forth 
his  spear,  and  Sir  Palomides  another  ;  and  so  they  came 
so  eagerly  together  that  Sir  Palomides  smote  Sir  Gawaine 
to  the  earth,  horse  and  all ;  and  in  the  same  wise  he  served 
Uwaine,  Sir  Dodinas,  and  Sagramore.  All  these  four 
knights  Sir  Palomides  smote  down  with  divers  spears. 
And  then  Sir  Tristram  departed  toward  Lonazep. 

And  when  they  were  departed  then  came  thither 
Galihodin  with  his  ten  knights  unto  Sir  Gawaine,  and 
there  he  told  him  all  how  he  had  sped.  I  marvel,  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  what  knights  they  be,  that  are  so  arrayed 
in  green.  And  that  knight  upon  the  white  horse  smote 
me  down,  said  Galihodin,  and  my  three  fellows.  And  so 
he  did  to  me,  said  Gawaine  ;  and  well  I  wot,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  that  either  he  upon  the  white  horse  is  Sir  Tristram 
or  else  Sir  Palomides,  and  that  gay  beseen  lady  is  Queen 
Isoud.  Thus  they  talked  of  one  thing  and  of  other. 

And  in  the  meanwhile  Sir  Tristram  passed  on  till  that 
he  came  to  the  well  where  his  two  pavilions  were  set ;  and 
there  they  alighted,  and  there  they  saw  many  pavilions 
and  great  array.  Then  Sir  Tristram  left  there  Sir  Palo- 
mides and  Sir  Gareth  with  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  Sir 
Tristram  and  Sir  Dinadan  rode  to  Lonazep  to  hearken 
tidings  ;  and  Sir  Tristram  rode  upon  Sir  Palomides'  white 
horse.  And  when  he  came  into  the  castle  Sir  Dinadan 
heard  a  great  horn  blow,  and  to  the  horn  drew  many 
knights.  Then  Sir  Tristram  asked  a  knight :  What 
meaneth  the  blast  of  that  horn?  Sir,  said  that  knight, 
it  is  all  those  that  shall  hold  against  King  Arthur  at  this 
tournament.  The  first  is  the  King  of  Ireland,  and  the 
King  of  Surluse,  the  King  of  Listinoise,  the  King  of 
Northumberland,  and  the  King  of  the  best  part  of  Wales, 
with  many  other  countries.  And  these  draw  them  to  a 
council,  to  understand  what  governance  they  shall  be  of; 
but  the  King  of  Ireland,  whose  name  was  Marhalt,  and 

VOL.   II  1C 


130  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

father  to  the  good  knight  Sir  Marhaus  that  Sir  Tristram 
slew,  had  all  the  speech  that  Sir  Tristram  might  hear  it. 
He  said  :  Lords  and  fellows,  let  us  look  to  ourself,  for 
wit  ye  well  King  Arthur  is  sure  of  many  good  knights, 
or  else  he  would  not  with  so  few  knights  have  ado 
with  us  ;  therefore  by  my  counsel  let  every  king  have  a 
standard  and  a  cognisance  by  himself,  that  every  knight 
draw  to  their  natural  lord,  and  then  may  every  king  and 
captain  help  his  knights  if  they  have  need.  When  Sir 
Tristram  had  heard  all  their  counsel  he  rode  unto  King 
Arthur  for  to  hear  of  his  counsel. 


CHAPTER  LXVII 

How  Sir  Tristram  and  his  fellowship  came  into  the  tourna- 
ment of  Lonazef ;  and  of  divers  jousts  and  matters. 

BUT  Sir  Tristram  was  not  so  soon  come  into  the  place, 
but  Sir  Gawaine  and  Sir  Galihodin  went  to  King  Arthur, 
and  told  him  :  That  same  green  knight  in  the  green 
harness  with  the  white  horse  smote  us  two  down,  and  six 
of  our  fellows  this  same  day.  Well,  said  Arthur.  And 
then  he  called  Sir  Tristram  and  asked  him  what  was  his 
name.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  shall  hold  me  excused  as 
at  this  time,  for  ye  shall  not  wit  my  name.  And  there 
Sir  Tristram  returned  and  rode  his  way.  I  have  marvel, 
said  Arthur,  that  yonder  knight  will  not  tell  me  his  name, 
but  go  thou,  Griflet  le  Fise  de  Dieu,  and  pray  him  to 
speak  with  me  betwixt  us.  Then  Sir  Griflet  rode  after 
him  and  overtook  him,  and  said  him  that  King  Arthur 
prayed  him  for  to  speak  with  him  secretly  apart.  Upon 
this  covenant,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will  speak  with  him  ; 
that  I  will  turn  again  so  that  ye  will  ensure  me  not  to 
desire  to  hear  my  name.  I  shall  undertake,  said  Sir 
Griflet,  that  he  will  not  greatly  desire  it  of  you.  So  they 
rode  together  until  they  came  to  King  Arthur.  Fair  sir, 
said  King  Arthur,  what  is  the  cause  ye  will  not  tell  me 
your  name  ?  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  without  a  cause  I  will 


CH.  LXVII     OF  THE  TOURNEY  OF  LONAZEP        131 

not  hide  my  name.  Upon  what  party  will  ye  hold  ?  said 
King  Arthur.  Truly,  my  lord,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  wot 
not  yet  on  what  party  I  will  be  on,  until  I  come  to  the 
field,  and  there  as  my  heart  giveth  me,  there  will  I  hold  ; 
but  to-morrow  ye  shall  see  and  prove  on  what  party  I 
shall  come.  And  therewithal  he  returned  and  went  to 
his  pavilions. 

And  upon  the  morn  they  armed  them  all  in  green,  and 
came  into  the  field  ;  and  there  young  knights  began  to 
joust,  and  did  many  worshipful  deeds.  Then  spake 
Gareth  unto  Sir  Tristram,  and  prayed  him  to  give  him 
leave  to  break  his  spear,  for  him  thought  shame  to  bear 
his  spear  whole  again.  When  Sir  Tristram  heard  him  say 
so  he  laughed,  and  said  :  I  pray  you  do  your  best.  Then 
Sir  Gareth  gat  a  spear  and  proffered  to  joust.  That  saw 
a  knight  that  was  nephew  unto  the  King  of  the  Hundred 
Knights  ;  his  name  was  Selises,  and  a  good  man  of  arms. 
So  this  knight  Selises  then  dressed  him  unto  Sir  Gareth, 
and  they  two  met  together  so  hard  that  either  smote  other 
down,  his  horse  and  all,  to  the  earth,  so  they  were  both 
bruised  and  hurt ;  and  there  they  lay  till  the  King  with  the 
Hundred  Knights  halp  Selises  up,  and  Sir  Tristram  and 
Sir  Palomides  halp  up  Gareth  again.  And  so  they  rode 
with  Sir  Gareth  unto  their  pavilions,  and  then  they  pulled 
off"  his  helm. 

And  when  La  Beale  Isoud  saw  Sir  Gareth  bruised  in 
the  face  she  asked  him  what  ailed  him.  Madam,  said  Sir 
Gareth,  I  had  a  great  buffet,  and  as  I  suppose  I  gave 
another,  but  none  of  my  fellows,  God  thank  them,  would 
not  rescue  me.  Forsooth,  said  Palomides,  it  longed  not 
to  none  of  us  as  this  day  to  joust,  for  there  have  not  this 
day  jousted  no  proved  knights,  and  needly  ye  would  joust. 
And  when  the  other  party  saw  ye  proffered  yourself  to 
joust  they  sent  one  to  you,  a  passing  good  knight  of  his 
age,  for  I  know  him  well,  his  name  is  Selises ;  and 
worshipfully  ye  met  with  him,  and  neither  of  you  are  dis- 
honoured, and  therefore  refresh  yourself  that  ye  may  be 
ready  and  whole  to  joust  to-morrow.  As  for  that,  said 
Gareth,  I  shall  not  fail  you  an  I  may  bestride  mine  horse. 


132  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 


CHAPTER   LXVIII 

How  Sir  Tristram  and  his  fellowship  jousted,  and  of  the 
noble  feats  that  they  did  in  that  tourneying. 

Now  upon  what  party,  said  Tristram,  is  it  best  we  be 
withal  as  to -morn?  Sir,  said  Palomides,  ye  shall  have 
mine  advice  to  be  against  King  Arthur  as  to-morn,  for  on 
his  party  will  be  Sir  Launcelot  and  many  good  knights  of 
his  blood  with  him.  And  the  more  men  of  worship  that 
they  be,  the  more  worship  we  shall  win.  That  is  full 
knightly  spoken,  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  and  right  so  as  ye 
counsel  me,  so  will  we  do.  In  the  name  of  God,  said  they 
all.  So  that  night  they  were  lodged  with  the  best.  And 
on  the  morn  when  it  was  day  they  were  arrayed  all  in 
green  trappings,  shields  and  spears,  and  La  Beale  Isoud  in 
the  same  colour,  and  her  three  damosels.  And  right  so 
these  four  knights  came  into  the  field  endlong  and  through. 
And  so  they  led  La  Beale  Isoud  thither  as  she  should  stand 
and  behold  all  the  jousts  in  a  bay  window  ;  but  always  she 
was  wimpled  that  no  man  might  see  her  visage.  And  then 
these  three  knights  rode  straight  unto  the  party  of  the 
King  of  Scots. 

When  King  Arthur  had  seen  them  do  all  this  he  asked 
Sir  Launcelot  what  were  these  knights  and  that  queen. 
Sir,  said  Launcelot,  I  cannot  say  you  in  certain,  but  if  Sir 
Tristram  be  in  this  country,  or  Sir  Palomides,  wit  ye  well 
it  be  they  in  certain,  and  La  Beale  Isoud.  Then  Arthur 
called  to  him  Sir  Kay  and  said  :  Go  lightly  and  wit  how 
many  knights  there  be  here  lacking  of  the  Table  Round, 
for  by  the  sieges  thou  mayst  know.  So  went  Sir  Kay 
and  saw  by  the  writings  in  the  sieges  that  there  lacked  ten 
knights.  And  these  be  their  names  that  be  not  here.  Sir 
Tristram,  Sir  Palomides,  Sir  Percivale,  Sir  Gaheris,  Sir 
Epinogris,  Sir  Mordred,  Sir  Dinadan,  Sir  La  Cote  Male 
Taile,  and  Sir  Pelleas  the  noble  knight.  Well,  said  Arthur, 
some  of  these  I  dare  undertake  are  here  this  day  against  us. 


CH.LXVIII    OF  TRISTRAM  AND  PALOMIDES  133 

Then  came  therein  two  brethren,  cousins  unto  Sir 
Gawaine,  the  one  hight  Sir  Edward,  that  other  hight  Sir 
Sadok,  the  which  were  two  good  knights  ;  and  they  asked 
of  King  Arthur  that  they  might  have  the  first  jousts,  for 
they  were  of  Orkney.  I  am  pleased,  said  King  Arthur. 
Then  Sir  Edward  encountered  with  the  King  of  Scots,  in 
whose  party  was  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  ;  and  Sir 
Edward  smote  the  King  of  Scots  quite  from  his  horse,  and 
Sir  Sadok  smote  down  the  King  of  North  Wales,  and  gave 
him  a  wonder  great  fall,  that  there  was  a  great  cry  on  King 
Arthur's  party,  and  that  made  Sir  Palomides  passing  wroth. 
And  so  Sir  Palomides  dressed  his  shield  and  his  spear,  and 
with  all  his  might  he  met  with  Sir  Edward  of  Orkney, 
that  he  smote  him  so  hard  that  his  horse  might  not  stand 
on  his  feet,  and  so  they  hurtled  to  the  earth  ;  and  then 
with  the  same  spear  Sir  Palomides  smote  down  Sir  Sadok 
over  his  horse's  croup.  O  Jesu,  said  Arthur,  what  knight 
is  that  arrayed  all  in  green  ?  he  jousteth  mightily.  Wit 
you  well,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  he  is  a  good  knight,  and  yet 
shall  ye  see  him  joust  better  or  he  depart.  And  yet  shall 
ye  see,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  another  bigger  knight,  in  the 
same  colour,  than  he  is  ;  for  that  same  knight,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  that  smote  down  right  now  my  four  cousins,  he 
smote  me  down  within  these  two  days,  and  seven  fellows 
more. 

This  meanwhile  as  they  stood  thus  talking  there  came 
into  the  place  Sir  Tristram  upon  a  black  horse,  and  or 
ever  he  stint  he  smote  down  with  one  spear  four  good 
knights  of  Orkney  that  were  of  the  kin  of  Sir  Gawaine  ; 
and  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Dinadan  everych  of  them  smote 
down  a  good  knight.  Jesu,  said  Arthur,  yonder  knight 
upon  the  black  horse  doth  mightily  and  marvellously  well. 
Abide  you,  said  Sir  Gawaine  ;  that  knight  with  the  black 
horse  began  not  yet.  Then  Sir  Tristram  made  to  horse 
again  the  two  kings  that  Edward  and  Sadok  had  unhorsed 
at  the  beginning.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  drew  his  sword 
and  rode  into  the  thickest  of  the  press  against  them  of 
Orkney  ;  and  there  he  smote  down  knights,  and  rashed  off 
helms,  and  pulled  away  their  shields,  and  hurtled  down 


i34  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

many  knights  :  he  fared  so  that  Sir  Arthur  and  all  knights 
had  great  marvel  when  they  saw  one  knight  do  so  great 
deeds  of  arms.  And  Sir  Palomides  failed  not  upon  the 
other  side,  but  did  so  marvellously  well  that  all  men  had 
wonder.  For  there  King  Arthur  likened  Sir  Tristram  that 
was  on  the  black  horse  like  to  a  wood  lion,  and  likened 
Sir  Palomides  upon  the  white  horse  unto  a  wood  leopard, 
and  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Dinadan  unto  eager  wolves.  But 
the  custom  was  such  among  them  that  none  of  the  kings 
would  help  other,  but  all  the  fellowship  of  every  standard 
to  help  other  as  they  might ;  but  ever  Sir  Tristram  did  so 
much  deeds  of  arms  that  they  of  Orkney  waxed  weary  of 
him,  and  so  withdrew  them  unto  Lonazep. 


CHAPTER   LXIX 

How  Sir  Tristram  was  unhorsed  and  smitten  down  by  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  after  that  Sir  Tristram  smote  down 
King  Arthur. 

THEN  was  the  cry  of  heralds  and  all  manner  of  common 
people  :  The  Green  Knight  hath  done  marvellously,  and 
beaten  all  them  of  Orkney.  And  there  the  heralds 
numbered  that  Sir  Tristram  that  sat  upon  the  black  horse 
had  smitten  down  with  spears  and  swords  thirty  knights  ; 
and  Sir  Palomides  had  smitten  down  twenty  knights,  and 
the  most  part  of  these  fifty  knights  were  of  the  house  of 
King  Arthur,  and  proved  knights.  So  God  me  help,  said 
Arthur  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  this  is  a  great  shame  to  us 
to  see  four  knights  beat  so  many  knights  of  mine ;  and 
therefore  make  you  ready,  for  we  will  have  ado  with  them. 
Sir,  said  Launcelot,  wit  ye  well  that  there  are  two  passing 
good  knights,  and  great  worship  were  it  not  to  us  now  to 
have  ado  with  them,  for  they  have  this  day  sore  travailed. 
As  for  that,  said  Arthur,  I  will  be  avenged  ;  and  therefore 
take  with  you  Sir  Bleoberis  and  Sir  Ector,  and  I  will  be 
the  fourth,  said  Arthur.  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  ye  shall  find 


CHAP.  LXIX      SIR  TRISTRAM  UNHORSED  135 

me  ready,  and  my  brother  Sir  Ector,  and  my  cousin  Sir 
Bleoberis.  And  so  when  they  were  ready  and  on  horse- 
back :  Now  choose,  said  Sir  Arthur  unto  Sir  Launcelot, 
with  whom  that  ye  will  encounter  withal.  Sir,  said 
Launcelot,  I  will  meet  with  the  green  knight  upon  the 
black  horse,  that  was  Sir  Tristram  ;  and  my  cousin  Sir 
Bleoberis  shall  match  the  green  knight  upon  the  white 
horse,  that  was  Sir  Palomides  ;  and  my  brother  Sir  Ector 
shall  match  with  the  green  knight  upon  the  white  horse, 
that  was  Sir  Gareth.  Then  must  I,  said  Sir  Arthur,  have 
ado  with  the  green  knight  upon  the  grisled  horse,  and  that 
was  Sir  Dinadan.  Now  every  man  take  heed  to  his  fellow, 
said  Sir  Launcelot.  And  so  they  trotted  on  together,  and 
there  encountered  Sir  Launcelot  against  Sir  Tristram.  So 
Sir  Launcelot  smote  Sir  Tristram  so  sore  upon  the  shield 
that  he  bare  horse  and  man  to  the  earth  ;  but  Sir  Launcelot 
weened  that  it  had  been  Sir  Palomides,  and  so  he  passed 
forth.  And  then  Sir  Bleoberis  encountered  with  Sir 
Palomides,  and  he  smote  him  so  hard  upon  the  shield  that 
Sir  Palomides  and  his  white  horse  rustled  to  the  earth. 
Then  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  smote  Sir  Gareth  so  hard  that 
down  he  fell  off  his  horse.  And  the  noble  King  Arthur 
encountered  with  Sir  Dinadan,  and  he  smote  him  quite 
from  his  saddle.  And  then  the  noise  turned  awhile  how 
the  green  knights  were  slain  down. 

When  the  King  of  Northgalis  saw  that  Sir  Tristram 
had  a  fall,  then  he  remembered  him  how  great  deeds  of 
arms  Sir  Tristram  had  done.  Then  he  made  ready  many 
knights,  for  the  custom  and  cry  was  such,  that  what 
knight  were  smitten  down,  and  might  not  be  horsed 
again  by  his  fellows,  outher  by  his  own  strength,  that  as 
that  day  he  should  be  prisoner  unto  the  party  that  had 
smitten  him  down.  So  came  in  the  King  of  Northgalis, 
and  he  rode  straight  unto  Sir  Tristram  ;  and  when  he 
came  nigh  him  he  alighted  down  suddenly  and  betook 
Sir  Tristram  his  horse,  and  said  thus  :  Noble  knight,  I 
know  thee  not  of  what  country  that  thou  art,  but  for  the 
noble  deeds  that  thou  hast  done  this  day  take  there  my 
horse,  and  let  me  do  as  well  I  may  ;  for,  as  Jesu  me 


136  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

help,  thou  art  better  worthy  to  have  mine  horse  than  I 
myself.  Gramercy,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and  if  I  may  I 
shall  quite  you  :  look  that  ye  go  not  far  from  us,  and  as 
I  suppose,  I  shall  win  you  another  horse.  And  therewith 
Sir  Tristram  mounted  upon  his  horse,  and  there  he  met 
with  King  Arthur,  and '  he  gave  him  such  a  buffet  upon 
the  helm  with  his  sword  that  King  Arthur  had  no  power 
to  keep  his  saddle.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  gave  the 
King  of  Northgalis  King  Arthur's  horse  :  then  was  there 
great  press  about  King  Arthur  for  to  horse  him  again  ; 
but  Sir  Palomides  would  not  suffer  King  Arthur  to  be 
horsed  again,  but  ever  Sir  Palomides  smote  on  the  right 
hand  and  on  the  left  hand  mightily  as  a  noble  knight. 
And  this  meanwhile  Sir  Tristram  rode  through  the 
thickest  of  the  press,  and  smote  down  knights  on  the 
right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand,  and  raced  off  helms,  and 
so  passed  forth  unto  his  pavilions,  and  left  Sir  Palomides 
on  foot ;  and  Sir  Tristram  changed  his  horse  and  dis- 
guised himself  all  in  red,  horse  and  harness. 


CHAPTER  LXX 

How  Sir  Tristram  changed  his  harness  and  it  was  all  red, 
and  how  he  demeaned  him,  and  how  Sir  Palomides 
slew  La  tine  e  lot's  horse. 

AND  when  the  queen  La  Beale  Isoud  saw  that  Sir 
Tristram  was  unhorsed,  and  she  wist  not  where  he  was, 
then  she  wept  greatly.  But  Sir  Tristram,  when  he  was 
ready,  came  dashing  lightly  into  the  field,  and  then  La 
Beale  Isoud  espied  him.  And  so  he  did  great  deeds  of 
arms  ;  with  one  spear,  that  was  great,  Sir  Tristram  smote 
down  five  knights  or  ever  he  stint.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
espied  him  readily,  that  it  was  Sir  Tristram,  and  then  he 
repented  him  that  he  had  smitten  him  down ;  and  so 
Sir  Launcelot  went  out  of  the  press  to  repose  him  and 
lightly  he  came  again.  And  now  when  Sir  Tristram 


"  He  gave  him  such  a  buffet  upon  the  helm  with  his  sword  that  King  Arthur  had 
no  power  to  keep  his  saddle." — Book  X.,  Chapter  LXIX. 


CH.  LXX     OF  TRISTRAM  AND  HIS  HARNESS          137 

came  into  the  press,  through  his  great  force  he  put  Sir 
Palomides  upon  his  horse,  and  Sir  Gareth,  and  Sir 
Dinadan,  and  then  they  began  to  do  marvellously  ;  but 
Sir  Palomides  nor  none  of  his  two  fellows  knew  not  who 
had  holpen  them  on  horseback  again.  But  ever  Sir 
Tristram  was  nigh  them  and  succoured  them,  and  they 
[knew]  not  him,  because  he  was  changed  into  red  armour  : 
and  all  this  while  Sir  Launcelot  was  away. 

So  when  La  Beale  Isoud  knew  Sir  Tristram  again 
upon  his  horse-back  she  was  passing  glad,  and  then  she 
laughed  and  made  good  cheer.  And  as  it  happened,  Sir 
Palomides  looked  up  toward  her  where  she  lay  in  the 
window,  and  he  espied  how  she  laughed  ;  and  therewith 
he  took  such  a  rejoicing  that  he  smote  down,  what  with 
his  spear  and  with  his  sword,  all  that  ever  he  met ; 
for  through  the  sight  of  her  he  was  so  enamoured  in 
her  love  that  he  seemed  at  that  time,  that  an  both  Sir 
Tristram  and  Sir  Launcelot  had  been  both  against  him 
they  should  have  won  no  worship  of  him  ;  and  in  his 
heart,  as  the  book  saith,  Sir  Palomides  wished  that  with 
his  worship  he  might  have  ado  with  Sir  Tristram  before 
all  men,  because  of  La  Beale  Isoud.  Then  Sir  Palomides 
began  to  double  his  strength,  and  he  did  so  marvellously 
that  all  men  had  wonder  of  him,  and  ever  he  cast  up 
his  eye  unto  La  Beale  Isoud.  And  when  he  saw  her 
make  such  cheer  he  fared  like  a  lion,  that  there  might 
no  man  withstand  him  ;  and  then  Sir  Tristram  beheld 
him,  how  that  Sir  Palomides  bestirred  him  ;  and  then  he 
said  unto  Sir  Dinadan  :  So  God  me  help,  Sir  Palomides 
is  a  passing  good  knight  and  a  well  enduring,  but  such 
deeds  saw  I  him  never  do,  nor  never  heard  I  tell  that 
ever  he  did  so  much  in  one  day.  It  is  his  day,  said 
Dinadan  ;  and  he  would  say  no  more  unto  Sir  Tristram  ; 
but  to  himself  he  said  :  An  if  ye  knew  for  whose  love 
he  doth  all  those  deeds  of  arms,  soon  would  Sir  Tristram 
abate  his  courage.  Alas,  said  Sir  Tristram,  that  Sir 
Palomides  is  not  christened.  So  said  King  Arthur,  and 
so  said  all  those  that  beheld  him.  Then  all  people  gave 
him  the  prize,  as  for  the  best  knight  that  day,  that  he 


138  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

passed  Sir  Launcelot  outher  Sir  Tristram.  Well,  said 
Dinadan  to  himself,  all  this  worship  that  Sir  Palomides 
hath  here  this  day  he  may  thank  the  Queen  Isoud,  for 
had  she  been  away  this  day  Sir  Palomides  had  not  gotten 
the  prize  this  day. 

Right  so  came  into  the  field  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake, 
and  saw  and  heard  the  noise  and  cry  and  the  great 
worship  that  Sir  Palomides  had.  He  dresssd  him  against 
Sir  Palomides,  with  a  great  mighty  spear  and  a  long,  and 
thought  to  smite  him  down.  And  when  Sir  Palomides 
saw  Sir  Launcelot  come  upon  him  so  fast,  he  ran  upon 
Sir  Launcelot  as  fast  with  his  sword  as  he  might ;  and 
as  Sir  Launcelot  should  have  stricken  him  he  smote  his 
spear  aside,  and  smote  it  a-two  with  his  sword.  And 
Sir  Palomides  rushed  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and  thought 
to  have  put  him  to  a  shame  ;  and  with  his  sword  he 
smote  his  horse's  neck  that  Sir  Launcelot  rode  upon,  and 
then  Sir  Launcelot  fell  to  the  earth.  Then  was  the  cry 
huge  and  great :  See  how  Sir  Palomides  the  Saracen  hath 
smitten  down  Sir  Launcelot's  horse.  Right  then  were 
there  many  knights  wroth  with  Sir  Palomides  because  he 
had  done  that  deed;  therefore  many  knights  held  there 
against  that  it  was  unknightly  done  in  a  tournament  to 
kill  an  horse  wilfully,  but  that  it  had  been  done  in  plain 
battle,  life  for  life. 


CHAPTER   LXXI 

How  Sir  Launcelot  said  to  Sir  Palomides,  and  how  the 
'prize  of  that  day  was  given  unto  Sir  Palomides. 

WHEN  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  saw  Sir  Launcelot  his  brother 
have  such  a  despite,  and  so  set  on  foot,  then  he  gat  a 
spear  eagerly,  and  ran  against  Sir  Palomides,  and  he  smote 
him  so  hard  that  he  bare  him  quite  from  his  horse.  That 
saw  Sir  Tristram,  that  was  in  red  harness,  and  he  smote 
down  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  quite  from  his  horse.  Then 


CH.  LXXI    SIR  PALOMIDES  WINS  THE  PRIZE         139 

Sir  Launcelot  dressed  his  shield  upon  his  shoulder,  and 
with  his  sword  naked  in  his  hand,  and  so  came  straight 
upon  Sir  Palomides  fiercely  and  said  :  Wit  thou  well 
thou  hast  done  me  this  day  the  greatest  despite  that  ever 
any  worshipful  knight  did  to  me  in  tournament  or  in 
jousts,  and  therefore  I  will  be  avenged  upon  thee,  there- 
fore take  keep  to  yourself.  Ah,  mercy,  noble  knight, 
said  Palomides,  and  forgive  me  mine  unkindly  deeds, 
for  I  have  no  power  nor  might  to  withstand  you,  and  I 
have  done  so  much  this  day  that  well  I  wot  I  did  never 
so  much,  nor  never  shall  in  my  life-days  ;  and  therefore, 
most  noble  knight,  I  require  thee  spare  me  as  at  this 
day,  and  I  promise  you  I  shall  ever  be  your  knight  while 
I  live  :  an  ye  put  me  from  my  worship  now,  ye  put  me 
from  the  greatest  worship  that  ever  I  had  or  ever  shall 
have  in  my  life-days.  Well,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  see, 
for  to  say  thee  sooth,  ye  have  done  marvellously  well 
this  day ;  and  I  understand  a  part  for  whose  love  ye  do 
it,  and  well  I  wot  that  love  is  a  great  mistress.  And  if 
my  lady  were  here  as  she  nis  not,  wit  you  well,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  ye  should  not  bear  away  the  worship.  But 
beware  your  love  be  not  discovered,  for  an  Sir  Tristram 
may  know  it  ye  will  repent  it ;  and  sithen  my  quarrel 
is  not  here,  ye  shall  have  this  day  the  worship  as  for  me  ; 
considering  the  great  travail  and  pain  that  ye  have  had 
this  day,  it  were  no  worship  for  me  to  put  you  from  it. 
And  therewithal  Sir  Launcelot  suffered  Sir  Palomides  to 
depart. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  by  great  force  and  might  gat 
his  own  horse  maugre  twenty  knights.  So  when  Sir 
Launcelot  was  horsed  he  did  many  marvels,  and  so  did 
Sir  Tristram,  and  Sir  Palomides  in  like  wise.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  smote  down  with  a  spear  Sir  Dinadan,  and  the 
King  of  Scotland,  and  the  King  of  Wales,  and  the  King 
of  Northumberland,  and  the  King  of  Listinoise.  So  then 
Sir  Launcelot  and  his  fellows  smote  down  well  a  forty 
knights.  Then  came  the  King  of  Ireland  and  the  King 
of  the  Straight  Marches  to  rescue  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir 
Palomides.  There  began  a  great  medley,  and  many 


i4o  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

knights  were  smitten  down  on  both  parties  ;  and  always  Sir 
Launcelot  spared  Sir  Tristram,  and  he  spared  him.  And 
Sir  Palomides  would  not  meddle  with  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
so  there  was  hurtling  here  and  there.  And  then  King 
Arthur  sent  out  many  knights  of  the  Table  Round  ;  and 
Sir  Palomides  was  ever  in  the  foremost  front,  and  Sir 
Tristram  did  so  strongly  well  that  the  king  and  all  other 
had  marvel.  And  then  the  king  let  blow  to  lodging  ; 
and  because  Sir  Palomides  began  first,  and  never  he  went 
nor  rode  out  of  the  field  to  repose,  but  ever  he  was 
doing  marvellously  well  either  on  foot  or  on  horseback, 
and  longest  during,  King  Arthur  and  all  the  kings  gave 
Sir  Palomides  the  honour  and  the  gree  as  for  that  day. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  commanded  Sir  Dinadan  to  fetch 
the  queen  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  bring  her  to  his  two 
pavilions  that  stood  by  the  well.  And  so  Dinadan  did  as 
he  was  commanded.  But  when  Sir  Palomides  understood 
and  wist  that  Sir  Tristram  was  in  the  red  armour,  and  on 
a  red  horse,  wit  ye  well  that  he  was  glad,  and  so  was  Sir 
Gareth  and  Sir  Dinadan,  for  they  all  weened  that  Sir 
Tristram  had  been  taken  prisoner.  And  then  every 
knight  drew  to  his  inn.  And  then  King  Arthur  and  every 
knight  spake  of  those  knights  ;  but  above  all  men  they 
gave  Sir  Palomides  the  prize,  and  all  knights  that  knew 
Sir  Palomides  had  wonder  of  his  deeds.  Sir,  said  Sir 
Launcelot  unto  Arthur,  as  for  Sir  Palomides  an  he  be  the 
green  knight  I  dare  say  as  for  this  day  he  is  best  worthy 
to  have  the  degree,  for  he  reposed  him  never,  nor  never 
changed  his  weeds,  and  he  began  first  and  longest  held  on. 
And  yet,  well  I  wot,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  there  was  a 
better  knight  than  he,  and  that  shall  be  proved  or  we 
depart,  upon  pain  of  my  life.  Thus  they  talked  on  either 
party  ;  and  so  Sir  Dinadan  railed  with  Sir  Tristram  and 
said  :  What  the  devil  is  upon  thee  this  day  ?  for  Sir 
Palomides'  strength  feebled  never  this  day,  but  ever  he 
doubled  his  strength. 


CH.  LXXII      OF  DINADAN  AND  TRISTRAM  141 

CHAPTER  LXXII 

How  Sir  Dinadan  provoked  Sir  Tristram  to  do  well. 

AND  thou,  Sir  Tristram,  farest  all  this  day  as  though  thou 
hadst  been  asleep,  and  therefore  I  call  thee  coward.  Well, 
Dinadan,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  was  never  called  coward  or 
now  of  no  earthly  knight  in  my  life  ;  and  wit  thou  well, 
sir,  I  call  myself  never  the  more  coward  though  Sir 
Launcelot  gave  me  a  fall,  for  I  outcept  him  of  all  knights. 
And  doubt  ye  not  Sir  Dinadan,  an  Sir  Launcelot  have  a 
quarrel  good,  he  is  too  over  good  for  any  knight  that  now 
is  living  ;  and  yet  of  his  sufferance,  largess,  bounty,  and 
courtesy,  I  call  him  knight  peerless  :  and  so  Sir  Tristram 
was  in  manner  wroth  with  Sir  Dinadan.  But  all  this 
language  Sir  Dinadan  said  because  he  would  anger  Sir 
Tristram,  for  to  cause  him  to  awake  his  spirits  and  to  be 
wroth  ;  for  well  knew  Sir  Dinadan  that  an  Sir  Tristram 
were  thoroughly  wroth  Sir  Palomides  should  not  get  the 
prize  upon  the  morn.  And  for  this  intent  Sir  Dinadan 
said  all  this  railing  and  language  against  Sir  Tristram. 
Truly,  said  Sir  Palomides,  as  for  Sir  Launcelot,  of  his 
noble  knighthood,  courtesy,  and  prowess,  and  gentleness, 
I  know  not  his  peer  ;  for  this  day,  said  Sir  Palomides,  I 
did  full  uncourteously  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and  full  un- 
knightly,  and  full  knightly  and  courteously  he  did  to  me 
again  ;  for  an  he  had  been  as  ungentle  to  me  as  I  was  to 
him,  this  day  I  had  won  no  worship.  And  therefore,  said 
Palomides,  I  shall  be  Sir  Launcelot's  knight  while  my  life 
lasteth.  This  talking  was  in  the  houses  of  kings.  But  all 
kings,  lords,  and  knights,  said,  of  clear  knighthood,  and 
of  pure  strength,  of  bounty,  of  courtesy,  Sir  Launcelot 
and  Sir  Trijtram  bare  the  prize  above  all  knights  that  ever 
were  in  Arthur's  days.  And  there  were  never  knights  in 
Arthur's  days  did  half  so  many  deeds  as  they  did  ;  as  the 
book  saith,  no  ten  knights  did  not  half  the  deeds  that  they 


H2  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

did,  and  there  was  never  knight  in  their  days  that  required 
Sir  Launcelot  or  Sir  Tristram  of  any  quest,  so  it  were  not 
to  their  shame,  but  they  performed  their  desire. 


CHAPTER   LXXIII 

How  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot  came  to  see  La  Beale 
Isoud,  and  how  Palomides  smote  down  King  Arthur. 

So  on  the  morn  Sir  Launcelot  departed,  and  Sir  Tristram 
was  ready,  and  La  Beale  Isoud  with  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir 
Gareth.  And  so  they  rode  all  in  green  full  freshly  beseen 
unto  the  forest.  And  Sir  Tristram  left  Sir  Dinadan 
sleeping  in  his  bed.  And  so  as  they  rode  it  happed  the 
king  and  Launcelot  stood  in  a  window,  and  saw  Sir 
Tristram  ride  and  Isoud.  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  yonder 
rideth  the  fairest  lady  of  the  world  except  your  queen, 
Dame  Guenever.  Who  is  that?  said  Sir  Arthur.  Sir, 
said  he,  it  is  Queen  Isoud  that,  out-taken  my  lady  your 
queen,  she  is  makeless.  Take  your  horse,  said  Arthur, 
and  array  you  at  all  rights  as  I  will  do,  and  I  promise  you, 
said  the  king,  I  will  see  her.  Then  anon  they  were  armed 
and  horsed,  and  either  took  a  spear  and  rode  unto  the 
forest.  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  it  is  not  good  that  ye  go  too 
nigh  them,  for  wit  ye  well  there  are  two  as  good  knights 
as  now  are  living,  and  therefore,  sir,  I  pray  you  be  not 
too  hasty.  For  peradventure  there  will  be  some  knights 
be  displeased  an  we  come  suddenly  upon  them.  As  for 
that,  said  Arthur,  I  will  see  her,  for  I  take  no  force  whom 
I  grieve.  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  ye  put  yourself  in  great 
jeopardy.  As  for  that,  said  the  king,  we  will  take  the 
adventure.  Right  so  anon  the  king  rode  even  to  her, 
and  saluted  her,  and  said  :  God  you  save.  Sir,  said  she, 
ye  are  welcome.  Then  the  king  beheld  her,  and  liked  her 
wonderly  well. 

With  that  came  Sir  Palomides  unto  Arthur,  and  said  : 
Uncourteous  knight,  what  seekest  thou  here  ?  thou  art 


CH.  LXXIII  PALOMIDES  SMITES  DOWN  ARTHUR  143 

uncourteous  to  come  upon  a  lady  thus  suddenly,  therefore 
withdraw  thee.  Sir  Arthur  took  none  heed  of  Sir  Palo- 
mides'  words,  but  ever  he  looked  still  upon  Queen  Isoud. 
Then  was  Sir  Palomides  wroth,  and  therewith  he  took  a 
spear,  and  came  hurtling  upon  King  Arthur,  and  smote 
him  down  with  a  spear.  When  Sir  Launcelot  saw  that 
despite  of  Sir  Palomides,  he  said  to  himself:  I  am  loath 
to  have  ado  with  yonder  knight,  and  not  for  his  own  sake 
but  for  Sir  Tristram.  And  one  thing  I  am  sure  of,  if  I 
smite  down  Sir  Palomides  I  must  have  ado  with  Sir  Tris- 
tram, and  that  were  overmuch  for  me  to  match  them  both, 
for  they  are  two  noble  knights  ;  notwithstanding,  whether 
I  live  or  I  die,  needs  must  1  revenge  my  lord,  and  so  will 
I,  whatsomever  befall  of  me.  And  therewith  Sir  Launcelot 
cried  to  Sir  Palomides  :  Keep  thee  from  me.  And  then 
Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Palomides  rushed  together  with  two 
spears  strongly,  but  Sir  Launcelot  smote  Sir  Palomides  so 
hard  that  he  went  quite  out  of  his  saddle,  and  had  a  great 
fall.  When  Sir  Tristram  saw  Sir  Palomides  have  that 
fall,  he  said  to  Sir  Launcelot :  Sir  knight,  keep  thee,  for 
I  must  joust  with  thee.  As  for  to  joust  with  me,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  I  will  not  fail  you,  for  no  dread  I  have  of 
you ;  but  I  am  loath  to  have  ado  with  you  an  I  might 
choose,  for  I  will  that  ye  wit  that  I  must  revenge  my 
special  lord  that  was  unhorsed  unwarly  and  unknightly. 
And  therefore,  though  I  revenged  that  fall,  take  ye  no 
displeasure  therein,  for  he  is  to  me  such  a  friend  that  I 
may  not  see  him  shamed. 

Anon  Sir  Tristram  understood  by  his  person  and  by 
his  knightly  words  that  it  was  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and 
verily  Sir  Tristram  deemed  that  it  was  King  Arthur,  he 
that  Sir  Palomides  had  smitten  down.  And  then  Sir 
Tristram  put  his  spear  from  him,  and  put  Sir  Palomides 
again  on  horseback,  and  Sir  Launcelot  put  King  Arthur 
on  horseback  and  so  departed.  So  God  me  help,  said  Sir 
Tristram  unto  Palomides,  ye  did  not  worshipfully  when 
ye  smote  down  that  knight  so  suddenly  as  ye  did.  And 
wit  ye  well  ye  did  yourself  great  shame,  for  the  knights 
came  hither  of  their  gentleness  to  see  a  fair  lady ;  and 


MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

that  is  every  good  knight's  part,  to  behold  a  fair  lady  ; 
and  ye  had  not  ado  to  play  such  masteries  afore  my  lady. 
Wit  thou  well  it  will  turn  to  anger,  for  he  that  ye  smote 
down  was  King  Arthur,  and  that  other  was  the  good 
knight  Sir  Launcelot.  But  I  shall  not  forget  the  words 
of  Sir  Launcelot  when  that  he  called  him  a  man  of  great 
worship,  thereby  I  wist  that  it  was  King  Arthur.  And  as 
for  Sir  Launcelot,  an  there  had  been  five  hundred  knights 
in  the  meadow,  he  would  not  have  refused  them,  and  yet 
he  said  he  would  refuse  me.  By  that  again  I  wist  that  it 
was  Sir  Launcelot,  for  ever  he  forbeareth  me  in  every 
place,  and  showeth  me  great  kindness ;  and  of  all  knights, 
I  out-take  none,  say  what  men  will  say,  he  beareth  the 
flower  of  all  chivalry,  say  it  him  whosomever  will.  An 
he  be  well  angered,  and  that  him  list  to  do  his  utterance 
without  any  favour,  I  know  him  not  alive  but  Sir 
Launcelot  is  over  hard  for  him,  be  it  on  horseback  or  on 
foot.  I  may  never  believe,  said  Palomides,  that  King 
Arthur  will  ride  so  privily  as  a  poor  errant  knight.  Ah, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  know  not  my  lord  Arthur,  for  all 
knights  may  learn  to  be  a  knight  of  him.  And  therefore 
ye  may  be  sorry,  said  Sir  Tristram,  of  your  unkindly 
deeds  to  so  noble  a  king.  And  a  thing  that  is  done  may 
not  be  undone,  said  Palomides.  Then  Sir  Tristram  sent 
Queen  Isoud  unto  her  lodging  in  the  priory,  there  to 
behold  all  the  tournament. 


CHAPTER  LXXIV 

How  the  second  day  Palomides  forsook  Sir  Tristram,  and 
went  to  the  contrary  party  against  him. 

THEN  there  was  a  cry  unto  all  knights,  that  when  they 
heard  an  horn  blow  they  should  make  jousts  as  they  did  the 
first  day.  And  like  as  the  brethren  Sir  Edward  and  Sir 
Sadok  began  the  jousts  the  first  day,  Sir  Uwaine  the 
king's  son  Urien  and  Sir  Lucanere  de  Buttelere  began 
the  jousts  the  second  day.  And  at  the  first  encounter 


CH.  LXXIV    SECOND  DAY  OF  THE  TOURNEY        145 

Sir  Uwaine  smote  down  the  King's  son  of  Scots  ;  and 
Sir  Lucanere  ran  against  the  King  of  Wales,  and  they 
brake  their  spears  all  to  pieces  ;  and  they  were  so  fierce 
both,  that  they  hurtled  together  that  both  fell  to  the 
earth.  Then  they  of  Orkney  horsed  again  Sir  Lucanere. 
And  then  came  in  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones  ;  and  then 
Sir  Tristram  smote  down  Sir  Uwaine  and  Sir  Lucanere ; 
and  Sir  Palomides  smote  down  other  two  knights  ;  and 
Sir  Gareth  smote  down  other  two  knights.  Then 
said  Sir  Arthur  unto  Sir  Launcelot :  See  yonder  three 
knights  do  passingly  well,  and  namely  the  first  that 
jousted.  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  that  knight  began  not  yet, 
but  ye  shall  see  him  this  day  do  marvellously.  And  then 
came  into  the  place  the  duke's  son  of  Orkney,  and  then 
they  began  to  do  many  deeds  of  arms. 

When  Sir  Tristram  saw  them  so  begin,  he  said  to 
Palomides  :  How  feel  ye  yourself?  may  ye  do  this  day 
as  ye  did  yesterday?  Nay,  said  Palomides,  I  feel  myself 
so  weary,  and  so  sore  bruised  of  the  deeds  of  yesterday, 
that  I  may  not  endure  as  I  did  yesterday.  That  me 
repenteth,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  1  shall  lack  you  this 
day.  Sir  Palomides  said:  Trust  not  to  me,  for  I  may 
not  do  as  I  did.  All  these  words  said  Palomides  for  to 
beguile  Sir  Tristram.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto  Sir 
Gareth,  then  must  I  trust  upon  you  ;  wherefore  I  pray 
you  be  not  far  from  me  to  rescue  me.  An  need  be, 
said  Sir  Gareth,  I  shall  not  fail  you  in  all  that  I  may  do. 
Then  Sir  Palomides  rode  by  himself;  and  then  in  despite 
of  Sir  Tristram  he  put  himself  in  the  thickest  press  among 
them  of  Orkney,  and  there  he  did  so  marvellously  deeds 
of  arms  that  all  men  had  wonder  of  him,  for  there  might 
none  stand  him  a  stroke. 

When  Sir  Tristram  saw  Sir  Palomides  do  such  deeds, 
he  marvelled  and  said  to  himself:  He  is  weary  of  my 
company.  So  Sir  Tristram  beheld  him  a  great  while 
and  did  but  little  else,  for  the  noise  and  cry  was  so  huge 
and  great  that  Sir  Tristram  marvelled  from  whence  came 
the  strength  that  Sir  Palomides  had  there  in  the  field. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Gareth  unto  Sir  Tristram,  remember  ye  not 

VOL.   II  L 


146  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

of  the  words  that  Sir  Dinadan  said  to  you  yesterday, 
when  he  called  you  a  coward  ;  forsooth,  sir,  he  said  it 
for  none  ill,  for  ye  are  the  man  in  the  world  that  he 
most  loveth,  and  all  that  he  said  was  for  your  worship. 
And  therefore,  said  Sir  Gareth  to  Sir  Tristram,  let  me 
know  this  day  what  ye  be  ;  and  wonder  ye  not  so  upon 
Sir  Palomides,  for  he  enforceth  himself  to  win  all  the 
worship  and  honour  from  you.  I  may  well  believe  it, 
said  Sir  Tristram.  And  sithen  I  understand  his  evil 
will  and  his  envy,  ye  shall  see,  if  that  I  enforce  myself, 
that  the  noise  shall  be  left  that  now  is  upon  him. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  rode  into  the  thickest  of  the 
press,  and  then  he  did  so  marvellously  well,  and  did  so 
great  deeds  of  arms,  that  all  men  said  that  Sir  Tristram 
did  double  so  much  deeds  of  arms  as  Sir  Palomides  had 
done  aforehand.  And  then  the  noise  went  plain  from 
Sir  Palomides,  and  all  the  people  cried  upon  Sir  Tristram. 
O  Jesu,  said  the  people,  see  how  Sir  Tristram  smiteth 
down  with  his  spear  so  many  knights.  And  see,  said 
they  all,  how  many  knights  he  smiteth  down  with  his 
sword,  and  of  how  many  knights  he  rashed  off  their 
helms  and  their  shields ;  and  so  he  beat  them  all  of 
Orkney  afore  him.  How  now,  said  Sir  Launcelot  unto 
King  Arthur,  I  told  you  that  this  day  there  would  a 
knight  play  his  pageant.  Yonder  rideth  a  knight  ye 
may  see  he  doth  knightly,  for  he  hath  strength  and  wind. 
So  God  me  help,  said  Arthur  to  Launcelot,  ye  say  sooth, 
for  I  saw  never  a  better  knight,  for  he  passeth  far  Sir 
Palomides.  Sir,  wit  ye  well,  said  Launcelot,  it  must 
be  so  of  right,  for  it  is  himself,  that  noble  knight  Sir 
Tristram.  I  may  right  well  believe  it,  said  Arthur. 

But  when  Sir  Palomides  heard  the  noise  and  the 
cry  was  turned  from  him,  he  rode  out  on  a  part  and 
beheld  Sir  Tristram.  And  when  Sir  Palomides  saw  Sir 
Tristram  do  so  marvellously  well  he  wept  passingly 
sore  for  despite,  for  he  wist  well  he  should  no  worship 
win  that  day  ;  for  well  knew  Sir  Palomides,  when  Sir 
Tristram  would  put  forth  his  strength  and  his  manhood, 
he  should  get  but  little  worship  that  day. 


CH.  LXXV      OF  TRISTRAM  AND  DINADAN  147 


CHAPTER   LXXV 

How  Sir  Tristram  departed  off  the  field,  and  awaked  Sir 
Dinadan,  and  changed  his  array  into  black. 

THEN  came  King  Arthur,  and  the  King  of  Northgalis, 
and  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  ;  and  Sir  Bleoberis,  Sir  Bors 
de  Ganis,  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  these  three  knights  came 
into  the  field  with  Sir  Launcelot.  And  then  Sir 
Launcelot  with  the  three  knights  of  his  kin  did  so  great 
deeds  of  arms  that  all  the  noise  began  upon  Sir  Launcelot. 
And  so  they  beat  the  King  of  Wales  and  the  King  of 
Scots  far  aback,  and  made  them  to  avoid  the  field  ;  but 
Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Gareth  abode  still  in  the  field  and 
endured  all  that  ever  there  came,  that  all  men  had  wonder 
that  any  knight  might  endure  so  many  strokes.  But 
ever  Sir  Launcelot,  and  his  three  kinsmen  by  the  com- 
mandment of  Sir  Launcelot,  forbare  Sir  Tristram.  Then 
said  Sir  Arthur :  Is  that  Sir  Palomides  that  endureth 
so  well?  Nay,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  wit  ye  well  it  is 
the  good  knight  Sir  Tristram,  for  yonder  ye  may  see 
Sir  Palomides  beholdeth  and  hoveth,  and  doth  little 
or  nought.  And  sir,  ye  shall  understand  that  Sir 
Tristram  weeneth  this  day  to  beat  us  all  out  of  the 
field.  And  as  for  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  shall  not 
beat  him,  beat  him  whoso  will.  Sir,  said  Launcelot 
unto  Arthur,  ye  may  see  how  Sir  Palomides  hoveth 
yonder,  as  though  he  were  in  a  dream ;  wit  ye  well 
he  is  full  heavy  that  Tristram  doth  such  deeds  of  arms. 
Then  is  he  but  a  fool,  said  Arthur,  for  never  was  Sir 
Palomides,  nor  never  shall  be,  of  such  prowess  as  Sir 
Tristram.  And  if  he  have  any  envy  at  Sir  Tristram, 
and  cometh  in  with  him  upon  his  side  he  is  a  false 
knight. 

As  the  king  and  Sir  Launcelot  thus  spake,  Sir 
Tristram  rode  privily  out  of  the  press,  that  none  espied 
him  but  La  Beale  Isoud  and  Sir  Palomides,  for  they  two 


148  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

would  not  let  off  their  eyes  upon  Sir  Tristram.  And 
when  Sir  Tristram  came  to  his  pavilions  he  found  Sir 
Dinadan  in  his  bed  asleep.  Awake,  said  Tristram,  ye 
ought  to  be  ashamed  so  to  sleep  when  knights  have 
ado  in  the  field.  Then  Sir  Dinadan  arose  lightly  and 
said :  What  will  ye  that  I  shall  do  ?  Make  you 
ready,  said  Sir  Tristram,  to  ride  with  me  into  the  field. 
So  when  Sir  Dinadan  was  armed  he  looked  upon  Sir 
Tristram's  helm  and  on  his  shield,  and  when  he  saw 
so  many  strokes  upon  his  helm  and  upon  his  shield  he 
said  :  In  good  time  was  I  thus  asleep,  for  had  I  been 
with  you  I  must  needs  for  shame  there  have  followed 
you  ;  more  for  shame  than  any  prowess  that  is  in  me  ; 
that  I  see  well  now  by  those  strokes  that  I  should  have 
been  truly  beaten  as  I  was  yesterday.  Leave  your  japes, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  and  come  off,  that  [we]  were  in  the 
field  again.  What,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  is  your  heart  up? 
yesterday  ye  fared  as  though  ye  had  dreamed.  So  then 
Sir  Tristram  was  arrayed  in  black  harness.  O  Jesu, 
said  Dinadan,  what  aileth  you  this  day?  meseemeth 
ye  be  wilder  than  ye  were  yesterday.  Then  smiled 
Sir  Tristram  and  said  to  Dinadan :  Await  well  upon 
me  ;  if  ye  see  me  overmatched  look  that  ye  be  ever 
behind  me,  and  I  shall  make  you  ready  way  by  God's 
grace.  So  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Dinadan  took  their 
horses.  All  this  espied  Sir  Palomides,  both  their  going 
and  their  coming,  and  so  did  La  Beale  Isoud,  for  she 
knew  Sir  Tristram  above  all  other. 


CHAPTER   LXXVI 

How  Sir  Palomides  changed  his  shield  and  his  armour  for  to 
hurt  Sir  Tristram,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  did  to  Sir 
Tristram. 

THEN   when  Sir    Palomides    saw  that   Sir   Tristram   was 
disguised,  then   he  thought  to  do  him  a  shame.     So  Sir 


CM.  LXXVI     TRISTRAM  THE  BEST  KNIGHT  149 

Palomides  rode  to  a  knight  that  was  sore  wounded,  that 
sat  under  a  fair  well  from  the  field.  Sir  knight,  said 
Sir  Palomides,  I  pray  you  to  lend  me  your  armour  and 
your  shield,  for  mine  is  over-well  known  in  this  field, 
and  that  hath  done  me  great  damage ;  and  ye  shall 
have  mine  armour  and  my  shield  that  is  as  sure  as  yours. 
I  will  well,  said  the  knight,  that  ye  have  mine  armour 
and  my  shield,  if  they  may  do  you  any  avail.  So  Sir 
Palomides  armed  him  hastily  in  that  knight's  armour 
and  his  shield  that  shone  as  any  crystal  or  silver,  and 
so  he  came  riding  into  the  field.  And  then  there  was 
neither  Sir  Tristram  nor  none  of  King  Arthur's  party 
that  knew  Sir  Palomides.  And  right  so  as  Sir  Palomides 
was  come  into  the  field  Sir  Tristram  smote  down  three 
knights,  even  in  the  sight  of  Sir  Palomides.  And  then 
Sir  Palomides  rode  against  Sir  Tristram,  and  either  met 
other  with  great  spears,  that  they  brast  to  their  hands. 
And  then  they  dashed  together  with  swords  eagerly. 
Then  Sir  Tristram  had  marvel  what  knight  he  was  that 
did  battle  so  knightly  with  him.  Then  was  Sir  Tristram 
wroth,  for  he  felt  him  passing  strong,  so  that  he  deemed 
he  might  not  have  ado  with  the  remnant  of  the  knights, 
because  of  the  strength  of  Sir  Palomides.  So  they  lashed 
together  and  gave  many  sad  strokes  together,  and  many 
knights  marvelled  what  knight  he  might  be  that  so 
encountered  with  the  black  knight,  Sir  Tristram.  Full 
well  knew  La  Beale  Isoud  that  there  was  Sir  Palomides 
that  fought  with  Sir  Tristram,  for  she  espied  all  in  her 
window  where  that  she  stood,  as  Sir  Palomides  changed 
his  harness  with  the  wounded  knight.  And  then  she 
began  to  weep  so  heartily  for  the  despite  of  Sir  Palomides 
that  there  she  swooned. 

Then  came  in  Sir  Launcelot  with  the  knights  of 
Orkney.  And  when  the  other  party  had  espied  Sir  Laun- 
celot, they  cried  :  Return,  return,  here  cometh  Sir  Launcelot 
du  Lake.  So  there  came  knights  and  said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  ye 
must  needs  fight  with  yonder  knight  in  the  black  harness, 
that  was  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  hath  almost  overcome  that 
good  knight  that  fighteth  with  him  with  the  silver  shield, 


150  MORTK  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

that  was  Sir  Palomides.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  rode  betwixt 
Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides,  and  Sir  Launcelot  said  to 
Palomides  :  Sir  knight,  let  me  have  the  battle,  for  ye  have 
need  to  be  reposed.  Sir  Palomides  knew  Sir  Launcelot 
well,  and  so  did  Sir  Tristram,  but  because  Sir  Launcelot 
was  far  hardier  knight  than  himself  therefore  he  was  glad, 
and  suffered  Sir  Launcelot  to  fight  with  Sir  Tristram. 
For  well  wist  he  that  Sir  Launcelot  knew  not  Sir  Tristram, 
and  there  he  hoped  that  Sir  Launcelot  should  beat  or  shame 
Sir  Tristram,  whereof  Sir  Palomides  was  full  fain.  And 
so  Sir  Launcelot  gave  Sir  Tristram  many  sad  strokes,  but 
Sir  Launcelot  knew  not  Sir  Tristram,  but  Sir  Tristram 
knew  well  Sir  Launcelot.  And  thus  they  fought  long 
together,  that  La  Beale  Isoud  was  well-nigh  out  of  her 
mind  for  sorrow. 

Then  Sir  Dinadan  told  Sir  Gareth  how  that  knight  in 
the  black  harness  was  Sir  Tristram  :  And  this  is  Launcelot 
that  fighteth  with  him,  that  must  needs  have  the  better  of 
him,  for  Sir  Tristram  hath  had  too  much  travail  this  day. 
Then  let  us  smite  him  down,  said  Sir  Gareth.  So  it  is 
better  that  we  do,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  than  Sir  Tristram  be 
shamed,  for  yonder  hoveth  the  strong  knight  with  the 
silver  shield  to  fall  upon  Sir  Tristram  if  need  be.  Then 
forthwithal  Gareth  rushed  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and  gave 
him  a  great  stroke  upon  his  helm  so  hard  that  he  was 
astonied.  And  then  came  Sir  Dinadan  with  a  spear,  and 
he  smote  Sir  Launcelot  such  a  buffet  that  horse  and  all 
fell  to  the  earth.  O  Jesu,  said  Sir  Tristram  to  Sir  Gareth 
and  Sir  Dinadan,  fie  for  shame,  why  did  ye  smite  down  so 
good  a  knight  as  he  is,  and  namely  when  I  had  ado  with 
him  ?  now  ye  do  yourself  great  shame,  and  him  no  dis- 
worship ;  for  I  held  him  reasonable  hot,  though  ye  had  not 
holpen  me. 

Then  came  Sir  Palomides  that  was  disguised,  and  smote 
down  Sir  Dinadan  from  his  horse.  Then  Sir  Launcelot, 
because  Sir  Dinadan  had  smitten  him  aforehand,  then 
Sir  Launcelot  assailed  Sir  Dinadan  passing  sore,  and  Sir 
Dinadan  defended  him  mightily.  But  well  understood  Sir 
Tristram  that  Sir  Dinadan  might  not  endure  Sir  Launcelot, 


CH.  LXXVI    TRISTRAM  THE  BEST  KNIGHT  151 

wherefore  Sir  Tristram  was  sorry.  Then  came  Sir  Palo- 
mides  fresh  upon  Sir  Tristram.  And  when  Sir  Tristram 
saw  him  come,  he  thought  to  deliver  him  at  once,  because 
that  he  would  help  Sir  Dinadan,  because  he  stood  in  great 
peril  with  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  Sir  Tristram  hurtled  unto 
Sir  Palomides  and  gave  him  a  great  buffet,  and  then  Sir 
Tristram  gat  Sir  Palomides  and  pulled  him  down  under- 
neath him.  And  so  fell  Sir  Tristram  with  him  ;  and  Sir 
Tristram  leapt  up  lightly  and  left  Sir  Palomides,  and  went 
betwixt  Sir  Launcelot  and  Dinadan,  and  then  they  began 
to  do  battle  together. 

Right  so  Sir  Dinadan  gat  Sir  Tristram's  horse,  and 
said  on  high  that  Sir  Launcelot  might  hear  it :  My  lord 
Sir  Tristram,  take  your  horse.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 
heard  him  name  Sir  Tristram  :  O  Jesu,  said  Launcelot, 
what  have  I  done  ?  I  am  dishonoured.  Ah,  my  lord  Sir 
Tristram,  said  Launcelot,  why  were  ye  disguised  ?  ye  have 
put  yourself  in  great  peril  this  day  ;  but  I  pray  you  noble 
knight  to  pardon  me,  for  an  I  had  known  you  we  had  not 
done  this  battle.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  this  is  not  the 
first  kindness  ye  showed  me.  So  they  were  both  horsed 
again. 

Then  all  the  people  on  the  one  side  gave  Sir  Launcelot 
the  honour  and  the  degree,  and  on  the  other  side  all  the 
people  gave  to  the  noble  knight  Sir  Tristram  the  honour 
and  the  degree ;  but  Launcelot  said  nay  thereto  :  For  I  am 
not  worthy  to  have  this  honour,  for  I  will  report  me  unto 
all  knights  that  Sir  Tristram  hath  been  longer  in  the  field 
than  I,  and  he  hath  smitten  down  many  more  knights  this 
day  than  I  have  done.  And  therefore  I  will  give  Sir  Tris- 
tram my  voice  and  my  name,  and  so  I  pray  all  my  lords 
and  fellows  so  to  do.  Then  there  was  the  whole  voice 
of  dukes  and  earls,  barons  and  knights,  that  Sir  Tristram 
this  day  is  proved  the  best  knight. 


152  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 


CHAPTER   LXXVII 

How  Sir  Tristram  departed  with  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  how 
Palomides  followed  and  excused  him. 

THEN  they  blew  unto  lodging,  and  Queen  Isoud  was  led 
unto  her  pavilions.  But  wit  you  well  she  was  wroth  out 
of  measure  with  Sir  Palomides,  for  she  saw  all  his  treason 
from  the  beginning  to  the  ending.  And  all  this  while 
neither  Sir  Tristram,  neither  Sir  Gareth  nor  Dinadan,  knew 
not  of  the  treason  of  Sir  Palomides  ;  but  afterward  ye 
shall  hear  that  there  befell  the  greatest  debate  betwixt  Sir 
Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  that  might  be. 

So  when  the  tournament  was  done,  Sir  Tristram, 
Gareth,  and  Dinadan,  rode  with  La  Beale  Isoud  to  these 
pavilions.  And  ever  Sir  Palomides  rode  with  them  in 
their  company  disguised  as  he  was.  But  when  Sir  Tristram 
had  espied  him  that  he  was  the  same  knight  with  the 
shield  of  silver  that  held  him  so  hot  that  day  :  Sir  knight, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  wit  ye  well  here  is  none  that  hath  need 
of  your  fellowship,  and  therefore  I  pray  you  depart  from 
us.  Sir  Palomides  answered  again  as  though  he  had  not 
known  Sir  Tristram  :  Wit  you  well,  sir  knight,  from  this 
fellowship  will  I  never  depart,  for  one  of  the  best  knights 
of  the  world  commanded  me  to  be  in  this  company,  and 
till  he  discharge  me  of  my  service  I  will  not  be  discharged. 
By  that  Sir  Tristram  knew  that  it  was  Sir  Palomides.  Ah, 
Sir  Palomides,  said  the  noble  knight  Sir  Tristram,  are  ye 
such  a  knight  ?  Ye  have  been  named  wrong,  for  ye  have 
long  been  called  a  gentle  knight,  and  as  this  day  ye  have 
showed  me  great  ungentleness,  for  ye  had  almost  brought 
me  unto  my  death.  But,  as  for  you,  I  suppose  I  should 
have  done  well  enough,  but  Sir  Launcelot  with  you  was 
overmuch  ;  for  I  know  no  knight  living  but  Sir  Launcelot 
is  over  good  for  him,  an  he  will  do  his  uttermost.  Alas, 
said  Sir  Palomides,  are  ye  my  lord  Sir  Tristram  ?  Yea, 
sir,  and  that  ye  know  well  enough.  By  my  knighthood, 
said  Palomides,  until  now  I  knew  you  not ;  I  weened  that 


CH.  LXXVII    OF  TRISTRAM  AND  PALOMIDES          153 

ye  had  been  the  King  of  Ireland,  for  well  I  wot  ye  bare  his 
arms.  His  arms  I  bare,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and  that  will  I 
stand  by,  for  I  won  them  once  in  a  field  of  a  full  noble 
knight,  his  name  was  Sir  Marhaus  ;  and  with  great  pain 
I  won  that  knight,  for  there  was  none  other  recover,  but 
Sir  Marhaus  died  through  false  leeches  ;  and  yet  was  he 
never  yolden  to  me.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  I  weened  ye 
had  been  turned  upon  Sir  Launcelot's  party,  and  that 
caused  me  to  turn.  Ye  say  well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and 
so  I  take  you,  and  I  forgive  you. 

So  then  they  rode  into  their  pavilions ;  and  when  they 
were  alighted  they  unarmed  them  and  washed  their  faces 
and  hands,  and  so  yode  unto  meat,  and  were  set  at  their 
table.  But  when  Isoud  saw  Sir  Palomides  she  changed 
then  her  colours,  and  for  wrath  she  might  not  speak. 
Anon  Sir  Tristram  espied  her  countenance  and  said  : 
Madam,  for  what  cause  make  ye  us  such  cheer  ?  we  have 
been  sore  travailed  this  day.  Mine  own  lord,  said  La 
Beale  Isoud,  for  God's  sake  be  ye  not  displeased  with  me, 
for  I  may  none  otherwise  do  ;  for  I  saw  this  day  how  ye 
were  betrayed  and  nigh  brought  to  your  death.  Truly, 
sir,  I  saw  every  deal,  how  and  in  what  wise,  and  therefore, 
sir,  how  should  I  suffer  in  your  presence  such  a  felon  and 
traitor  as  Sir  Palomides ;  for  I  saw  him  with  mine  eyes, 
how  he  beheld  you  when  ye  went  out  of  the  field.  For 
ever  he  hoved  still  upon  his  horse  till  he  saw  you  come  in 
againward.  And  then  forthwithal  I  saw  him  ride  to  the 
hurt  knight,  and  changed  harness  with  him,  and  then 
straight  1  saw  him  how  he  rode  into  the  field.  And  anon 
as  he  had  found  you  he  encountered  with  you,  and  thus 
wilfully  Sir  Palomides  did  battle  with  you  ;  and  as  for  him, 
sir,  I  was  not  greatly  afraid,  but  I  dread  sore  Launcelot, 
that  knew  you  not.  Madam,  said  Palomides,  ye  may  say 
whatso  ye  will,  I  may  not  contrary  you,  but  by  my  knight- 
hood I  knew  not  Sir  Tristram.  Sir  Palomides,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  I  will  take  your  excuse,  but  well  I  wot  ye  spared 
me  but  little,  but  all  is  pardoned  on  my  part.  Then  La 
Beale  Isoud  held  down  her  head  and  said  no  more  at  that 
time. 


154  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 


CHAPTER    LXXVIII 

How  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot  came  unto  their  •pavilions 
as  they  sat  at  supper,  and  of  Sir  Palomides. 

AND  therewithal  two  knights  armed  came  unto  the  pavilion, 
and  there  they  alighted  both,  and  came  in  armed  at  all 
pieces.  Fair  knights,  said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  are  to  blame  to 
come  thus  armed  at  all  pieces  upon  me  while  we  are  at 
our  meat ;  if  ye  would  anything  when  we  were  in  the  field 
there  might  ye  have  eased  your  hearts.  Not  so,  said  the 
one  of  those  knights,  we  come  not  for  that  intent,  but  wit 
ye  well  Sir  Tristram,  we  be  come  hither  as  your  friends. 
And  I  am  come  here,  said  the  one,  for  to  see  you,  and  this 
knight  is  come  for  to  see  La  Beale  Isoud.  Then  said  Sir 
Tristram :  I  require  you  do  off  your  helms  that  I  may  see 
you.  That  will  we  do  at  your  desire,  said  the  knights. 
And  when  their  helms  were  off,  Sir  Tristram  thought  that 
he  should  know  them. 

Then  said  Sir  Dinadan  privily  unto  Sir  Tristram  :  Sir, 
that  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  that  spake  unto  you  first, 
and  the  other  is  my  lord  King  Arthur.  Then,  said  Sir 
Tristram  unto  La  Beale  Isoud,  Madam  arise,  for  here  is  my 
lord,  King  Arthur.  Then  the  king  and  the  queen  kissed, 
and  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Tristram  braced  either  other  in 
arms,  and  then  there  was  joy  without  measure;  and  at  the 
request  of  La  Beale  Isoud,  King  Arthur  and  Launcelot 
were  unarmed,  and  then  there  was  merry  talking.  Madam, 
said  Sir  Arthur,  it  is  many  a  day  sithen  that  I  have  desired 
to  see  you,  for  ye  have  been  praised  so  far;  and  now  I  dare 
say  ye  are  the  fairest  that  ever  I  saw,  and  Sir  Tristram  is 
as  fair  and  as  good  a  knight  as  any  that  I  know  ;  therefore 
me  beseemeth  ye  are  well  beset  together.  Sir,  God  thank 
you,  said  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Tristram,  and  Isoud ;  of 
your  great  goodness  and  largess  ye  are  peerless.  Thus 
they  talked  of  many  things  and  of  all  the  whole  jousts.  But 
for  what  cause,  said  King  Arthur,  were  ye,  Sir  Tristram, 


CH.  LXXVIII    OF  ARTHUR  AND  LAUNCELOT         155 

against  us  ?  Ye  are  a  knight  of  the  Table  Round;  of  right 
ye  should  have  been  with  us.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  here 
is  Dinadan,  and  Sir  Gareth  your  own  nephew,  caused  me  to 
be  against  you.  My  lord  Arthur,  said  Gareth,  I  may  well 
bear  the  blame,  but  it  were  Sir  Tristram's  own  deeds. 
That  may  I  repent,  said  Dinadan,  for  this  unhappy  Sir 
Tristram  brought  us  to  this  tournament,  and  many  great 
buffets  he  caused  us  to  have.  Then  the  king  and  Launce- 
lot  laughed  that  they  might  not  sit. 

What  knight  was  that,  said  Arthur,  that  held  you  so 
short,  this  with  the  shield  of  silver  ?  Sir,  said  Sir  Tris- 
tram, here  he  sitteth  at  this  board.  What,  said  Arthur, 
was  it  Sir  Palomides?  Wit  ye  well  it  was  he,  said  La 
Beale  Isoud.  So  God  me  help,  said  Arthur,  that  was  un- 
knightly  done  of  you  of  so  good  a  knight,  for  I  have 
heard  many  people  call  you  a  courteous  knight.  Sir,  said 
Palomides,  I  knew  not  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  was  so  disguised. 
So  God  me  help,  said  Launcelot,  it  may  well  be,  for  I  knew 
not  Sir  Tristram  ;  but  I  marvel  why  ye  turned  on  our 
party.  That  was  done  for  the  same  cause,  said  Launcelot. 
As  for  that,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  have  pardoned  him,  and 
I  would  be  right  loath  to  leave  his  fellowship,  for  I  love 
right  well  his  company  :  so  they  left  off  and  talked  of 
other  things. 

And  in  the  evening  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot 
departed  unto  their  lodging  ;  but  wit  ye  well  Sir  Palomides 
had  envy  heartily,  for  all  that  night  he  had  never  rest  in 
his  bed,  but  wailed  and  wept  out  of  measure.  So  on  the 
morn  Sir  Tristram,  Gareth,  and  Dinadan  arose  early,  and 
then  they  went  unto  Sir  Palomides'  chamber,  and  there 
they  found  him  fast  asleep,  for  he  had  all  night  watched, 
and  it  was  seen  upon  his  cheeks  that  he  had  wept  full  sore. 
Say  nothing,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  I  am  sure  he  hath  taken 
anger  and  sorrow  for  the  rebuke  that  I  gave  to  him,  and 
La  Beale  Isoud. 


156  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 


CHAPTER   LXXIX 

How  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  did  the  next  day,  and 
how  King  Arthur  was  unhorsed. 

THEN  Sir  Tristram  let  call  Sir  Palomides,  and  bade  him 
make  him  ready,  for  it  was  time  to  go  to  the  field.  When 
they  were  ready  they  were  armed,  and  clothed  all  in  red, 
both  Isoud  and  all  they  ;  and  so  they  led  her  passing 
freshly  through  the  field,  into  the  priory  where  was  her 
lodging.  And  then  they  heard  three  blasts  blow,  and  every 
king  and  knight  dressed  him  unto  the  field.  And  the  first 
that  was  ready  to  joust  was  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Kainus 
Je  Strange,  a  knight  of  the  Table  Round.  And  so  they 
two  encountered  together,  but  Sir  Palomides  smote  Sir 
Kainus  so  hard  that  he  smote  him  quite  over  his  horse's 
croup.  And  forthwithal  Sir  Palomides  smote  down  another 
knight,  and  brake  then  his  spear,  and  pulled  out  his  sword 
and  did  wonderly  well.  And  then  the  noise  began  greatly 
upon  Sir  Palomides.  Lo,  said  King  Arthur,  yonder 
Palomides  beginneth  to  play  his  pageant.  So  God  me 
help,  said  Arthur,  he  is  a  passing  good  knight.  And 
right  as  they  stood  talking  thus,  in  came  Sir  Tristram  as 
thunder,  and  he  encountered  with  Sir  Kay  the  Seneschal, 
and  there  he  smote  him  down  quite  from  his  horse ;  and 
with  that  same  spear  Sir  Tristram  smote  down  three  knights 
more,  and  then  he  pulled  out  his  sword  and  did  marvellously. 
Then  the  noise  and  cry  changed  from  Sir  Palomides  and 
turned  to  Sir  Tristram,  and  all  the  people  cried :  O 
Tristram,  O  Tristram.  And  then  was  Sir  Palomides  clean 
forgotten. 

How  now,  said  Launcelot  unto  Arthur,  yonder  rideth 
a  knight  that  playeth  his  pageants.  So  God  me  help,  said 
Arthur  to  Launcelot,  ye  shall  see  this  day  that  yonder  two 
knights  shall  here  do  this  day  wonders.  Sir,  said  Launce- 
lot, the  one  knight  waiteth  upon  the  other,  and  enforceth 
himself  through  envy  to  pass  the  noble  knight  Sir  Tristram, 


CH.LXXIX    THE  THIRD  DAY  OF  TOURNEY          157 

and  he  knoweth  not  of  the  privy  envy  the  which  Sir 
Palomides  hath  to  him  ;  for  all  that  the  noble  Sir  Tristram 
doth  is  through  clean  knighthood.  And  then  Sir  Gareth 
and  Dinadan  did  wonderly  great  deeds  of  arms,  as  two 
noble  knights,  so  that  King  Arthur  spake  of  them  great 
honour  and  worship  ;  and  the  kings  and  knights  of  Sir 
Tristram's  side  did  passingly  well,  and  held  them  truly 
together.  Then  Sir  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot  took  their 
horses  and  dressed  them,  and  gat  into  the  thickest  of  the 
press.  And  there  Sir  Tristram  unknowing  smote  down 
King  Arthur,  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  would  have  rescued 
him,  but  there  were  so  many  upon  Sir  Launcelot  that  they 
pulled  him  down  from  his  horse.  And  then  the  King  of 
Ireland  and  the  King  of  Scots  with  their  knights  did  their 
pain  to  take  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot  prisoner. 
When  Sir  Launcelot  heard  them  say  so,  he  fared  as  it  had 
been  an  hungry  lion,  for  he  fared  so  that  no  knight  durst 
nigh  him. 

Then  came  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  and  he  bare  a  spear 
against  Sir  Palomides,  and  brast  it  upon  him  all  to  shivers. 
And  then  Sir  Ector  came  again  and  gave  Sir  Palomides 
such  a  dash  with  a  sword  that  he  stooped  down  upon  his 
saddle  bow.  And  forthwithal  Sir  Ector  pulled  down  Sir 
Palomides  under  his  feet ;  and  then  Sir  Ector  de  Maris 
gat  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  an  horse,  and  brought  it  to  him, 
and  bade  him  mount  upon  him ;  but  Sir  Palomides  leapt 
afore  and  gat  the  horse  by  the  bridle,  and  leapt  into  the 
saddle.  So  God  me  help,  said  Launcelot,  ye  are  better 
worthy  to  have  that  horse  than  I.  Then  Sir  Ector  brought 
Sir  Launcelot  another  horse.  Gramercy,  said  Launcelot 
unto  his  brother.  And  so  when  he  was  horsed  again,  with 
one  spear  he  smote  down  four  knights.  And  then  Sir 
Launcelot  brought  to  King  Arthur  one  of  the  best  of  the 
four  horses.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  with  King  Arthur  and 
a  few  of  his  knights  of  Sir  Launcelot's  kin  did  marvellous 
deeds  ;  for  that  time,  as  the  book  recordeth,  Sir  Launcelot 
smote  down  and  pulled  down  thirty  knights.  Notwith- 
standing the  other  party  held  them  so  fast  together  that 
King  Arthur  and  his  knights  were  overmatched.  And 


158  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

when  Sir  Tristram  saw  that,  what  labour  King  Arthur 
and  his  knights,  and  in  especial  the  noble  deeds  that  Sir 
Launcelot  did  with  his  own  hands,  he  marvelled  greatly. 


CHAPTER    LXXX 

How  Sir  Tristram  turned  to  King  Arthur's  side,  and  how 
Palomides  would  not. 

THEN  Sir  Tristram  called  unto  him  Sir  Palomides,  Sir 
Gareth,  and  Sir  Dinadan,  and  said  thus  to  them  :  My  fair 
fellows,  wit  ye  well  that  I  will  turn  unto  King  Arthur's 
party,  for  I  saw  never  so  few  men  do  so  well,  and  it  will 
be  shame  unto  us  knights  that  be  of  the  Round  Table 
to  see  our  lord  King  Arthur,  and  that  noble  knight  Sir 
Launcelot,  to  be  dishonoured.  It  will  be  well  done,  said 
Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Dinadan.  Do  your  best,  said  Palomides, 
for  I  will  not  change  my  party  that  I  came  in  withal. 
That  is  for  my  sake,  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  God  speed  you  in 
your  journey.  And  so  departed  Sir  Palomides  from  them. 
Then  Sir  Tristram,  Gareth,  and  Dinadan,  turned  with  Sir 
Launcelot.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down  the  King 
of  Ireland  quite  from  his  horse ;  and  so  Sir  Launcelot 
smote  down  the  King  of  Scots,  and  the  King  of  Wales  ; 
and  then  Sir  Arthur  ran  unto  Sir  Palomides  and  smote  him 
quite  from  his  horse  ;  and  then  Sir  Tristram  bare  down 
all  that  he  met.  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Dinadan  did  there  as 
noble  knights ;  then  all  the  parties  began  to  flee.  Alas,  said 
Palomides,  that  ever  I  should  see  this  day,  for  now  have 
I  lost  all  the  worship  that  I  won  ;  and  then  Sir  Palomides 
went  his  way  wailing,  and  so  withdrew  him  till  he  came 
to  a  well,  and  there  he  put  his  horse  from  him,  and  did  off 
his  armour,  and  wailed  and  wept  like  as  he  had  been  a  wood 
man.  Then  many  knights  gave  the  prize  to  Sir  Tristram, 
and  there  were  many  that  gave  the  prize  unto  Sir  Launce- 
lot. Fair  lords,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  thank  you  of  the 
honour  ye  would  give  me,  but  I  pray  you  heartily  that  ye 


CHAP.  LXXX    WHAT  SIR  PALOMIDES  DID  159 

would  give  your  voice  to  Sir  Launcelot,  for  by  my  faith, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will  give  Sir  Launcelot  my  voice.  But 
Sir  Launcelot  would  not  have  it,  and  so  the  prize  was 
given  betwixt  them  both. 

Then  every  man  rode  to  his  lodging,  and  Sir  Bleoberis 
and  Sir  Ector  rode  with  Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beale  Isoud 
unto  their  pavilions.  Then  as  Sir  Palomides  was  at  the 
well  wailing  and  weeping,  there  came  by  him  flying  the 
kings  of  Wales  and  of  Scotland,  and  they  saw  Sir  Palomides 
in  that  arage.  Alas,  said  they,  that  so  noble  a  man  as  ye 
be  should  be  in  this  array.  And  then  those  kings  gat 
Sir  Palomides'  horse  again,  and  made  him  to  arm  him 
and  mount  upon  his  horse,  and  so  he  rode  with  them, 
making  great  dole.  So  when  Sir  Palomides  came  nigh  the 
pavilions  thereas  Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beale  Isoud  was  in, 
then  Sir  Palomides  prayed  the  two  kings  to  abide  him 
there  the  while  that  he  spake  with  Sir  Tristram.  And 
when  he  came  to  the  port  of  the  pavilions,  Sir  Palomides 
said  on  high  :  Where  art  thou,  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones  ? 
Sir,  said  Dinadan,  that  is  Palomides.  What,  Sir  Palomides, 
will  ye  not  come  in  here  among  us?  Fie  on  thee, 
traitor,  said  Palomides,  for  wit  you  well  an  it  were  day- 
light as  it  is  night  I  should  slay  thee,  mine  own  hands. 
And  if  ever  I  may  get  thee,  said  Palomides,  thou  shalt 
die  for  this  day's  deed.  Sir  Palomides,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
ye  wite  me  with  wrong,  for  had  ye  done  as  I  did  ye  had 
won  worship.  But  sithen  ye  give  me  so  large  warning 
I  shall  be  well  ware  of  you.  Fie  on  thee,  traitor,  said 
Palomides,  and  therewith  departed. 

Then  on  the  morn  Sir  Tristram,  Bleoberis,  and  Sir 
Ector  de  Maris,  Sir  Gareth,  Sir  Dinadan,  what  by  water 
and  what  by  land,  they  brought  La  Beale  Isoud  unto 
Joyous  Card,  and  there  reposed  them  a  seven  night,  and 
made  all  the  mirths  and  disports  that  they  could  devise. 
And  King  Arthur  and  his  knights  drew  unto  Camelot, 
and  Sir  Palomides  rode  with  the  two  kings  ;  and  ever 
he  made  the  greatest  dole  that  any  man  could  think,  for 
he  was  not  all  only  so  dolorous  for  the  departing  from  La 
Beale  Isoud,  but  he  was  a  part  as  sorrowful  to  depart 


160  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

from  the  fellowship  of  Sir  Tristram  ;  for  Sir  Tristram  was 
so  kind  and  so  gentle  that  when  Sir  Palomides  remembered 
him  thereof  he  might  never  be  merry. 


CHAPTER   LXXXI 

How  Sir  Bleoberis  and  Sir  EC  tor  reported  to  Queen  Guenever 
of  the  beauty  of  La  Beale  Isoud. 

So  at  the  seven  nights'  end  Sir  Bleoberis  and  Sir  Ector 
departed  from  Sir  Tristram  and  from  the  queen  ;  and 
these  two  good  knights  had  great  gifts ;  and  Sir  Gareth 
and  Sir  Dinadan  abode  with  Sir  Tristram.  And  when 
Sir  Bleoberis  and  Sir  Ector  were  come  there  as  the  Queen 
Guenever  was  lodged,  in  a  castle  by  the  seaside,  and 
through  the  grace  of  God  the  queen  was  recovered  of 
her  malady,  then  she  asked  the  two  knights  from  whence 
they  came.  They  said  that  they  came  from  Sir  Tristram 
and  from  La  Beale  Isoud.  How  doth  Sir  Tristram,  said 
the  queen,  and  La  Beale  Isoud  ?  Truly,  said  those  two 
knights,  he  doth  as  a  noble  knight  should  do  ;  and  as 
for  the  Queen  Isoud,  she  is  peerless  of  all  ladies ;  for  to 
speak  of  her  beauty,  bounte,  and  mirth,  and  of  her  good- 
ness, we  saw  never  her  match  as  far  as  we  have  ridden 
and  gone.  O  mercy  Jesu,  said  Queen  Guenever,  so 
saith  all  the  people  that  have  seen  her  and  spoken  with 
her.  God  would  that  I  had  part  of  her  conditions  ;  and  it 
is  misfortuned  me  of  my  sickness  while  that  tournament 
endured.  And  as  I  suppose  I  shall  never  see  in  all  my 
life  such  an  assembly  of  knights  and  ladies  as  ye  have 
done. 

Then  the  knights  told  her  how  Palomides  won  the 
degree  at  the  first  day  with  great  noblesse ;  and  the 
second  day  Sir  Tristram  won  the  degree  ;  and  the  third 
day  Sir  Launcelot  won  the  degree.  Well,  said  Queen 
Guenever,  who  did  best  all  these  three  days?  So  God 
me  help,  said  these  knights,  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Tristram 


CH.  LXXXII   OF  EPINOGRIS  AND  PALOMIDES          161 

had  least  dishonour.  And  wit  ye  well  Sir  Palomides 
did  passing  well  and  mightily  ;  but  he  turned  against 
the  party  that  he  came  in  withal,  and  that  caused  him  to 
lose  a  great  part  of  his  worship,  for  it  seemed  that  Sir 
Palomides  is  passing  envious.  Then  shall  he  never  win 
worship,  said  Queen  Guenever,  for  an  it  happeth  an 
envious  man  once  to  win  worship  he  shall  be  dishonoured 
twice  therefore ;  and  for  this  cause  all  men  of  worship 
hate  an  envious  man,  and  will  shew  him  no  favour,  and 
he  that  is  courteous,  and  kind,  and  gentle,  hath  favour 
in  every  place. 


CHAPTER   LXXXII 

How  Epinogris  complained  by  a  well,  and  how  Sir  Palomides 
came  and  found  him,  and  of  their  both  sorrowing. 

Now  leave  we  of  this  matter  and  speak  we  of  Sir 
Palomides,  that  rode  and  lodged  him  with  the  two  kings, 
whereof  the  kings  were  heavy.  Then  the  King  of  Ireland 
sent  a  man  of  his  to  Sir  Palomides,  and  gave  him  a  great 
courser,  and  the  King  of  Scotland  gave  him  great  gifts  ; 
and  fain  they  would  have  had  Sir  Palomides  to  have 
abiden  with  them,  but  in  no  wise  he  would  abide  ;  and 
so  he  departed,  and  rode  as  adventures  would  guide  him, 
till  it  was  nigh  noon.  And  then  in  a  forest  by  a  well 
Sir  Palomides  saw  where  lay  a  fair  wounded  knight  and 
his  horse  bounden  by  him  ;  and  that  knight  made  the 
greatest  dole  that  ever  he  heard  man  make,  for  ever  he 
wept,  and  therewith  he  sighed  as  though  he  would  die. 
Then  Sir  Palomides  rode  near  him  and  saluted  him  mildly 
and  said  :  Fair  knight,  why  wail  ye  so  ?  let  me  lie  down 
and  wail  with  you,  for  doubt  not  I  am  much  more 
heavier  than  ye  are  ;  for  I  dare  say,  said  Palomides,  that 
my  sorrow  is  an  hundred  fold  more  than  yours  is,  and 
therefore  let  us  complain  either  to  other.  First,  said 
the  wounded  knight,  I  require  you  tell  me  your  name, 

VOL.   II  M 


1 62  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  x 

for  an  thou  be  none  of  the  noble  knights  of  the  Round 
Table  thou  shalt  never  know  my  name,  whatsomever 
come  of  me.  Fair  knight,  said  Palomides,  such  as  I  am, 
be  it  better  or  be  it  worse,  wit  thou  well  that  my  name  is 
Sir  Palomides,  son  and  heir  unto  King  Astlabor,  and  Sir 
Safere  and  Sir  Segwarides  are  my  two  brethren  ;  and  wit 
thou  well  as  for  myself  I  was  never  christened,  but  my 
two  brethren  are  truly  christened.  O  noble  knight,  said 
that  knight,  well  is  me  that  I  have  met  with  you  ;  and 
wit  ye  well  my  name  is  Epinogris,  the  king's  son  of 
Northumberland.  Now  sit  down,  said  Epinogris,  and 
let  us  either  complain  to  other. 

Then  Sir  Palomides  began  his  complaint.  Now  shall 
I  tell  you,  said  Palomides,  what  woe  I  endure.  I  love 
the  fairest  queen  and  lady  that  ever  bare  life,  and  wit  ye 
well  her  name  is  La  Beale  Isoud,  King  Mark's  wife  of 
Cornwall.  That  is  great  folly,  said  Epinogris,  for  to 
love  Queen  Isoud,  for  one  of  the  best  knights  of  the 
world  loveth  her,  that  is  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones.  That 
is  truth,  said  Palomides,  for  no  man  knoweth  that  matter 
better  than  I  do,  for  I  have  been  in  Sir  Tristram's 
fellowship  this  month,  and  with  La  Beale  Isoud  together  ; 
and  alas,  said  Palomides,  unhappy  man  that  I  am,  now 
have  I  lost  the  fellowship  of  Sir  Tristram  for  ever,  and 
the  love  of  La  Beale  Isoud  for  ever,  and  I  am  never  like 
to  see  her  more,  and  Sir  Tristram  and  I  be  either  to 
other  mortal  enemies.  Well,  said  Epinogris,  sith  that 
ye  loved  La  Beale  Isoud,  loved  she  you  ever  again  by 
anything  that  ye  could  think  or  wit,  or  else  did  ye  rejoice 
her  ever  in  any  pleasure  ?  Nay,  by  my  knighthood,  said 
Palomides,  I  never  espied  that  ever  she  loved  me  more 
than  all  the  world,  nor  never  had  I  pleasure  with  her, 
but  the  last  day  she  gave  me  the  greatest  rebuke  that 
ever  I  had,  the  which  shall  never  go  from  my  heart. 
And  yet  I  well  deserved  that  rebuke,  for  I  did  not 
knightly,  and  therefore  I  have  lost  the  love  of  her  and 
of  Sir  Tristram  for  ever  ;  and  I  have  many  times  enforced 
myself  to  do  many  deeds  for  La  Beale  Isoud's  sake,  and 
she  was  the  causer  of  my  worship-winning.  Alas,  said 


CH.LXXXIII    OF  EPINOGRIS  AND  HIS  LADY  163 

Sir  Palomides,  now  have  I  lost  all  the  worship  that  ever  I 
won,  for  never  shall  me  befall  such  prowess  as  I  had  in 
the  fellowship  of  Sir  Tristram. 


CHAPTER   LXXXIII 

How  Sir  Palomides  brought  Sir  Epinogris  his  lady ;  and 
how  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Safere  were  assailed. 

NAY,  nay,  said  Epinogris,  your  sorrow  is  but  japes  to  my 
sorrow  ;  for  I  rejoiced  my  lady  and  won  her  with  my 
hands,  and  lost  her  again  :  alas  that  day  !  Thus  first  I 
won  her,  said  Epinogris  ;  my  lady  was  an  earl's  daughter, 
and  as  the  earl  and  two  knights  came  from  the  tourna- 
ment of  Lonazep,  for  her  sake  I  set  upon  this  earl  and 
on  his  two  knights,  my  lady  there  being  present ;  and  so 
by  fortune  there  I  slew  the  earl  and  one  of  the  knights, 
and  the  other  knight  fled,  and  so  that  night  I  had  my 
lady.  And  on  the  morn  as  she  and  I  reposed  us  at  this 
well-side  there  came  there  to  me  an  errant  knight,  his  name 
was  Sir  Helior  le  Preuse,  an  hardy  knight,  and  this  Sir 
Helior  challenged  me  to  fight  for  my  lady.  And  then 
we  went  to  battle  first  upon  horse  and  after  on  foot,  but 
at  the  last  Sir  Helior  wounded  me  so  that  he  left  me  for 
dead,  and  so  he  took  my  lady  with  him  ;  and  thus  my 
sorrow  is  more  than  yours,  for  I  have  rejoiced  and  ye 
rejoiced  never.  That  is  truth,  said  Palomides,  but  sith 
I  can  never  recover  myself  I  shall  promise  you  if  I  can 
meet  with  Sir  Helior  I  shall  get  you  your  lady  again,  or 
else  he  shall  beat  me. 

Then  Sir  Palomides  made  Sir  Epinogris  to  take  his 
horse,  and  so  they  rode  to  an  hermitage,  and  there  Sir 
Epinogris  rested  him.  And  in  the  meanwhile  Sir  Palo- 
mides walked  privily  out  to  rest  him  under  the  leaves,  and 
there  beside  he  saw  a  knight  come  riding  with  a  shield 
that  he  had  seen  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  bear  beforehand  ;  and 
there  came  after  him  a  ten  knights,  and  so  these  ten 
knights  hoved  under  the  leaves  for  heat.  And  anon  after 


164  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

there  came  a  knight  with  a  green  shield  and  therein  a 
white  lion,  leading  a  lady  upon  a  palfrey.  Then  this 
knight  with  the  green  shield  that  seemed  to  be  master  of 
the  ten  knights,  he  rode  fiercely  after  Sir  Helior,  for  it  was 
he  that  hurt  Sir  Epinogris.  And  when  he  came  nigh  Sir 
Helior  he  bade  him  defend  his  lady.  I  will  defend  her, 
said  Helior,  unto  my  power.  And  so  they  ran  together 
so  mightily  that  either  of  these  knights  smote  other  down, 
horse  and  all,  to  the  earth  ;  and  then  they  won  up  lightly 
and  drew  their  swords  and  their  shields,  and  lashed  to- 
gether mightily  more  than  an  hour.  All  this  Sir  Palo- 
mides  saw  and  beheld,  but  ever  at  the  last  the  knight  with 
Sir  Ector's  shield  was  bigger,  and  at  the  last  this  knight 
smote  Sir  Helior  down,  and  then  that  knight  unlaced  his 
helm  to  have  stricken  off  his  head.  And  then  he  cried 
mercy,  and  prayed  him  to  save  his  life,  and  bade  him  take 
his  lady.  Then  Sir  Palomides  dressed  him  up,  because  he 
wist  well  that  that  same  lady  was  Epinogris'  lady,  and  he 
promised  him  to  help  him. 

Then  Sir  Palomides  went  straight  to  that  lady,  and 
took  her  by  the  hand,  and  asked  her  whether  she  knew  a 
knight  that  hight  Epinogris.  Alas,  she  said,  that  ever  he 
knew  me  or  I  him,  for  I  have  for  his  sake  lost  my 
worship,  and  also  his  life  grieveth  me  most  of  all.  Not 
so,  lady,  said  Palomides,  come  on  with  me,  for  here  is 
Epinogris  in  this  hermitage.  Ah  !  well  is  me,  said  the 
lady,  an  he  be  alive.  Whither  wilt  thou  with  that  lady  ? 
said  the  knight  with  Sir  Ector's  shield.  I  will  do  with 
her  what  me  list,  said  Palomides.  Wit  you  well,  said  that 
knight,  thou  speakest  over  large,  though  thou  seemest  me 
to  have  at  advantage,  because  thou  sawest  me  do  battle 
but  late.  Thou  weenest,  sir  knight,  to  have  that  lady 
away  from  me  so  lightly  ?  nay,  think  it  never  not ;  an 
thou  were  as  good  a  knight  as  is  Sir  Launcelot,  or  as  is 
Sir  Tristram,  or  Sir  Palomides,  but  thou  shalt  win  her 
dearer  than  ever  did  I.  And  so  they  went  unto  battle 
upon  foot,  and  there  they  gave  many  sad  strokes,  and 
either  wounded  other  passing  sore,  and  thus  they  fought 
still  more  than  an  hour. 


CH.  LXXXIV    OF  PALOMIDES  AND  EPINOGRIS        165 

Then  Sir  Palomides  had  marvel  what  knight  he  might 
be  that  was  so  strong  and  so  well  breathed  during,  and 
thus  said  Palomides  :  Knight,  I  require  thee  tell  me  thy 
name.  Wit  thou  well,  said  that  knight,  I  dare  tell  thee 
my  name,  so  that  thou  wilt  tell  me  thy  name.  I  will,  said 
Palomides.  Truly,  said  that  knight,  my  name  is  Safere, 
son  of  King  Astlabor,  and  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Segwarides 
are  my  brethren.  Now,  and  wit  thou  well,  my  name  is 
Sir  Palomides.  Then  Sir  Safere  kneeled  down  upon  his 
knees,  and  prayed  him  of  mercy  ;  and  then  they  unlaced 
their  helms  and  either  kissed  other  weeping.  And  in  the 
meanwhile  Sir  Epinogris  arose  out  of  his  bed,  and  heard 
them  by  the  strokes,  and  so  he  armed  him  to  help  Sir 
Palomides  if  need  were. 


CHAPTER   LXXXIV 

How  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Safere  conducted  Sir  Epinogris 
to  his  castle,  and  of  other  adventures. 

THEN  Sir  Palomides  took  the  lady  by  the  hand  and 
brought  her  to  Sir  Epinogris,  and  there  was  great  joy 
betwixt  them,  for  either  swooned  for  joy.  When  they 
were  met :  Fair  knight  and  lady,  said  Sir  Safere,  it  were 
pity  to  depart  you  ;  Jesu  send  you  joy  either  of  other. 
Gramercy,  gentle  knight,  said  Epinogris  ;  and  much  more 
thanks  be  to  my  lord  Sir  Palomides,  that  thus  hath 
through  his  prowess  made  me  to  get  my  lady.  Then  Sir 
Epinogris  required  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Safere,  his 
brother,  to  ride  with  them  unto  his  castle,  for  the  safeguard 
of  his  person.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  we  will  be  ready  to 
conduct  you  because  that  ye  are  sore  wounded  ;  and  so 
was  Epinogris  and  his  lady  horsed,  and  his  lady  behind 
him  upon  a  soft  ambler.  And  then  they  rode  unto  his 
castle,  where  they  had  great  cheer  and  joy,  as  great  as  ever 
Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Safere  had  in  their  life-days. 

So  on  the  morn  Sir  Safere  and  Sir  Palomides  departed. 


1 66  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

and  rode  as  fortune  led  them,  and  so  they  rode  all  that 
day  until  after  noon.  And  at  the  last  they  heard  a  great 
weeping  and  a  great  noise  down  in  a  manor.  Sir,  said 
then  Sir  Safere,  let  us  wit  what  noise  this  is.  I  will  well, 
said  Sir  Palomides.  And  so  they  rode  forth  till  that  they 
came  to  a  fair  gate  of  a  manor,  and  there  sat  an  old  man 
saying  his  prayers  and  beads.  Then  Sir  Palomides  and 
Sir  Safere  alighted  and  left  their  horses,  and  went  within 
the  gates,  and  there  they  saw  full  many  goodly  men  weep- 
ing. Fair  sirs,  said  Palomides,  wherefore  weep  ye  and 
make  this  sorrow  ?  Anon  one  of  the  knights  of  the  castle 
beheld  Sir  Palomides  and  knew  him,  and  then  went  to  his 
fellows  and  said  :  Fair  fellows,  wit  ye  well  all,  we  have  in 
this  castle  the  same  knight  that  slew  our  lord  at  Lonazep, 
for  I  know  him  well ;  it  is  Sir  Palomides.  Then  they 
went  unto  harness,  all  that  might  bear  harness,  some  on 
horseback  and  some  on  foot,  to  the  number  of  three  score. 
And  when  they  were  ready  they  came  freshly  upon  Sir 
Palomides  and  upon  Sir  Safere  with  a  great  noise,  and  said 
thus  :  Keep  thee,  Sir  Palomides,  for  thou  art  known,  and 
by  right  thou  must  be  dead,  for  thou  hast  slain  our  lord  ; 
and  therefore  wit  ye  well  we  will  slay  thee,  therefore 
defend  thee. 

Then  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Safere,  the  one  set  his  back 
to  the  other,  and  gave  many  great  strokes,  and  took  many 
great  strokes  ;  and  thus  they  fought  with  a  twenty  knights 
and  forty  gentlemen  and  yeomen  nigh  two  hours.  But 
at  the  last  though  they  were  loath,  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir 
Safere  were  taken  and  yolden,  and  put  in  a  strong  prison  ; 
and  within  three  days  twelve  knights  passed  upon  them, 
and  they  found  Sir  Palomides  guilty,  and  Sir  Safere  not 
guilty,  of  their  lord's  death.  And  when  Sir  Safere  should 
be  delivered  there  was  great  dole  betwixt  Sir  Palomides 
and  him,  and  many  piteous  complaints  that  Sir  Safere 
made  at  his  departing,  there  is  no  maker  can  rehearse  the 
tenth  part.  Fair  brother,  said  Palomides,  let  be  thy  dolour 
and  thy  sorrow.  And  if  I  be  ordained  to  die  a  shameful 
death,  welcome  be  it ;  but  an  I  had  wist  of  this  death  that 
I  am  deemed  unto,  I  should  never  have  been  yolden.  So 


CH.  LXXXV    HOW  PALOMIDES  WAS  RESCUED         167 

Sir  Safere  departed   from  his   brother  with  the  greatest 
dolour  and  sorrow  that  ever  made  knight. 

And  on  the  morn  they  of  the  castle  ordained  twelve 
knights  to  ride  with  Sir  Palomides  unto  the  father  of  the 
same  knight  that  Sir  Palomides  slew ;  and  so  they  bound 
his  legs  under  an  old  steed's  belly.  And  then  they  rode 
with  Sir  Palomides  unto  a  castle  by  the  seaside,  that  hight 
Pelownes,  and  there  Sir  Palomides  should  have  justice. 
Thus  was  their  ordinance  ;  and  so  they  rode  with  Sir 
Palomides  fast  by  the  castle  of  Joyous  Card.  And  as 
they  passed  by  that  castle  there  came  riding  out  of  that 
castle  by  them  one  that  knew  Sir  Palomides.  And  when 
that  knight  saw  Sir  Palomides  bounden  upon  a  crooked 
courser,  the  knight  asked  Sir  Palomides  for  what  cause  he 
was  led  so.  Ah,  my  fair  fellow  and  knight,  said  Palomides, 
I  ride  toward  my  death  for  the  slaying  of  a  knight  at  a 
tournament  of  Lonazep  ;  and  if  I  had  not  departed  from 
my  lord  Sir  Tristram,  as  I  ought  not  to  have  done,  now 
might  I  have  been  sure  to  have  had  my  life  saved  ;  but  I 
pray  you,  sir  knight,  recommend  me  unto  my  lord,  Sir 
Tristram,  and  unto  my  lady,  Queen  Isoud,  and  say  to 
them  if  ever  I  trespassed  to  them  I  ask  them  forgiveness. 
And  also  I  beseech  you  recommend  me  unto  my  lord, 
King  Arthur,  and  to  all  the  fellowship  of  the  Round 
Table,  unto  my  power.  Then  that  knight  wept  for  pity 
of  Sir  Palomides  ;  and  therewithal  he  rode  unto  Joyous 
Gard  as  fast  as  his  horse  might  run,  and  lightly  that 
knight  descended  down  off  his  horse  and  went  unto  Sir 
Tristram,  and  there  he  told  him  all  as  ye  have  heard,  and 
ever  the  knight  wept  as  he  had  been  mad. 


CHAPTER   LXXXV 

How  Sir  Tristram  made  him  ready  to  rescue  Sir  Palomides, 
but  Sir  Launcelot  rescued  him  or  he  came. 

WHEN  Sir  Tristram  heard  how  Sir  Palomides  went  to  his 
death,  he  was  heavy  to  hear  that,  and  said  :  Howbcit  that 


i68  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

I  am  wroth  with  Sir  Palomides,  yet  will  not  I  suffer  him  to 
die  so  shameful  a  death,  for  he  is  a  full  noble  knight.  And 
then  anon  Sir  Tristram  was  armed  and  took  his  horse  and 
two  squires  with  him,  and  rode  a  great  pace  toward  the 
castle  of  Pelownes  where  Sir  Palomides  was  judged  to  death. 
And  these  twelve  knights  that  led  Sir  Palomides  passed  by 
a  well  whereas  Sir  Launcelot  was,  which  was  alighted  there, 
and  had  tied  his  horse  to  a  tree,  and  taken  off  his  helm 
to  drink  of  that  well ;  and  when  he  saw  these  knights,  Sir 
Launcelot  put  on  his  helm  and  suffered  them  to  pass  by 
him.  And  then  was  he  ware  of  Sir  Palomides  bounden, 
and  led  shamefully  to  his  death.  O  Jesu,  said  Launcelot, 
what  misadventure  is  befallen  him  that  he  is  thus  led 
toward  his  death  ?  Forsooth,  said  Launcelot,  it  were  shame 
to  me  to  suffer  this  noble  knight  so  to  die  an  I  might  help 
him,  therefore  I  will  help  him  whatsomever  come  of  it, 
or  else  I  shall  die  for  Sir  Palomides'  sake.  And  then  Sir 
Launcelot  mounted  upon  his  horse,  and  gat  his  spear  in 
his  hand,  and  rode  after  the  twelve  knights  that  led  Sir 
Palomides.  Fair  knights,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  whither  lead 
ye  that  knight  ?  it  beseemeth  him  full  ill  to  ride  bounden. 
Then  these  twelve  knights  suddenly  turned  their  horses 
and  said  to  Sir  Launcelot :  Sir  knight,  we  counsel  thee  not 
to  meddle  with  this  knight,  for  he  hath  deserved  death,  and 
unto  death  he  is  judged.  That  me  repenteth,  said  Launce- 
lot, that  I  may  not  borrow  him  with  fairness,  for  he  is  over 
good  a  knight  to  die  such  a  shameful  death.  And  there- 
fore, fair  knights,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  keep  you  as  well  as 
ye  can,  for  I  will  rescue  that  knight  or  die  for  it. 

Then  they  began  to  dress  their  spears,  and  Sir  Launcelot 
smote  the  foremost  down,  horse  and  man,  and  so  he  served 
three  more  with  one  spear ;  and  then  that  spear  brast,  and 
therewithal  Sir  Launcelot  drew  his  sword,  and  then  he 
smote  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand.  Then 
within  a  while  he  left  none  of  those  twelve  knights,  but  he 
had  laid  them  to  the  earth,  and  the  most  part  of  them 
were  sore  wounded.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  took  the 
best  horse  that  he  found,  and  loosed  Sir  Palomides  and  set 
him  upon  that  horse  ;  and  so  they  returned  again  unto 


CH.  LXXXVI   OF  TRISTRAM  AND  LAUNCELOT       169 

Joyous  Card,  and  then  was  Sir  Palomides  ware  of  Sir 
Tristram  how  he  came  riding.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  him  he  knew  him  well,  but  Sir  Tristram  knew  him  not 
because  Sir  Launcelot  had  on  his  shoulder  a  golden  shield. 
So  Sir  Launcelot  made  him  ready  to  joust  with  Sir  Tris- 
tram, that  Sir  Tristram  should  not  ween  that  he  were  Sir 
Launcelot.  Then  Sir  Palomides  cried  aloud  to  Sir  Tristram  : 
O  my  lord,  I  require  you  joust  not  with  this  knight,  for 
this  good  knight  hath  saved  me  from  my  death.  When 
Sir  Tristram  heard  him  say  so  he  came  a  soft  trotting  pace 
toward  them.  And  then  Sir  Palomides  said  :  My  lord, 
Sir  Tristram,  much  am  I  beholding  unto  you  of  your  great 
goodness,  that  would  proffer  your  noble  body  to  rescue  me 
undeserved,  for  I  have  greatly  offended  you.  Notwith- 
standing, said  Sir  Palomides,  here  met  we  with  this  noble 
knight  that  worshipfully  and  manly  rescued  me  from  twelve 
knights,  and  smote  them  down  all  and  wounded  them  sore. 


CHAPTER   LXXXVI 

How  Sir  Tristram  and  Launcelot,  with  Palomides^  came  to 
Joyous  Gard ;  and  of  Palomides  and  Sir  Tristram. 

FAIR  knight,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  of 
whence  be  ye  ?  I  am  a  knight  errant,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
that  rideth  to  seek  many  adventures.  What  is  your  name  ? 
said  Sir  Tristram.  Sir,  at  this  time  I  will  not  tell  you. 
Then  Sir  Launcelot  said  unto  Sir  Tristram  and  to  Palo- 
mides :  Now  either  of  you  are  met  together  I  will  depart 
from  you.  Not  so,  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  I  pray  you  of 
knighthood  to  ride  with  me  unto  my  castle.  Wit  you 
well,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  may  not  ride  with  you,  for  I 
have  many  deeds  to  do  in  other  places,  that  at  this  time 
I  may  not  abide  with  you.  Ah,  mercy  Jesu,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  I  require  you  as  ye  be  a  true  knight  to  the  order 
of  knighthood,  play  you  with  me  this  night.  Then  Sir 
Tristram  had  a  grant  of  Sir  Launcelot  :  howbeit  though 


1 70  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

he  had  not  desired  him  he  would  have  ridden  with  them, 
outher  soon  have  come  after  them  ;  for  Sir  Launcelot  came 
for  none  other  cause  into  that  country  but  for  to  see  Sir 
Tristram.  And  when  they  were  come  within  Joyous 
Card  they  alighted,  and  their  horses  were  led  into  a  stable  ; 
and  then  they  unarmed  them.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 
was  unhelmed,  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  knew  him. 
Then  Sir  Tristram  took  Sir  Launcelot  in  arms,  and  so  did 
La  Beale  Isoud  ;  and  Palomides  kneeled  down  upon  his 
knees  and  thanked  Sir  Launcelot.  When  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  Sir  Palomides  kneel  he  lightly  took  him  up  and  said 
thus  :  Wit  thou  well,  Sir  Palomides,  I  and  any  knight  in 
this  land,  of  worship  ought  of  very  right  succour  and 
rescue  so  noble  a  knight  as  ye  are  proved  and  renowned, 
throughout  all  this  realm  endlong  and  overthwart.  And 
then  was  there  joy  among  them,  and  the  oftener  that 
Sir  Palomides  saw  La  Beale  Isoud  the  heavier  he  waxed 
day  by  day. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  within  three  or  four  days  departed, 
and  with  him  rode  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  ;  and  Dinadan  and 
Sir  Palomides  were  there  left  with  Sir  Tristram  a  two 
months  and  more.  But  ever  Sir  Palomides  faded  and 
mourned,  that  all  men  had  marvel  wherefore  he  faded  so 
away.  So  upon  a  day,  in  the  dawning,  Sir  Palomides  went 
into  the  forest  by  himself  alone ;  and  there  he  found  a 
well,  and  then  he  looked  into  the  well,  and  in  the  water  he 
saw  his  own  visage,  how  he  was  disturbed  and  defaded, 
nothing  like  that  he  was.  What  may  this  mean  ?  said  Sir 
Palomides,  and  thus  he  said  to  himself:  Ah,  Palomides, 
Palomides,  why  art  thou  defaded,  thou  that  was  wont  to  be 
called  one  of  the  fairest  knights  of  the  world  ?  I  will  no 
more  lead  this  life,  for  I  love  that  I  may  never  get  nor 
recover.  And  therewithal  he  laid  him  down  by  the  well. 
And  then  he  began  to  make  a  rhyme  of  La  Beale  Isoud 
and  him. 

And  in  the  meanwhile  Sir  Tristram  was  that  same  day 
ridden  into  the  forest  to  chase  the  hart  of  greese  ;  but  Sir 
Tristram  would  not  ride  a-hunting  never  more  unarmed, 
because  of  Sir  Breuse  Saunce  Pite.  And  so  as  Sir  Tristram 


CH.LXXXVI     OF  PALOMIDES'  COMPLAINT  171 

rode  into  that  forest  up  and  down,  he  heard  one  sing 
marvellously  loud,  and  that  was  Sir  Palomides  that  lay  by 
the  well.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  rode  softly  thither,  for 
he  deemed  there  was  some  knight  errant  that  was  at  the 
well.  And  when  Sir  Tristram  came  nigh  him  he  descended 
down  from  his  horse  and  tied  his  horse  fast  till  a  tree,  and 
then  he  came  near  him  on  foot ;  and  anon  he  was  ware 
where  lay  Sir  Palomides  by  the  well  and  sang  loud  and 
merrily ;  and  ever  the  complaints  were  of  that  noble 
queen,  La  Beale  Isoud,  the  which  was  marvellously  and 
wonderfully  well  said,  and  full  dolefully  and  piteously 
made.  And  all  the  whole  song  the  noble  knight,  Sir 
Tristram,  heard  from  the  beginning  to  the  ending,  the 
which  grieved  and  troubled  him  sore. 

But  then  at  the  last,  when  Sir  Tristram  had  heard  all 
Sir  Palomides'  complaints,  he  was  wroth  out  of  measure, 
and  thought  for  to  slay  him  thereas  he  lay.  Then  Sir 
Tristram  remembered  himself  that  Sir  Palomides  was 
unarmed,  and  of  the  noble  name  that  Sir  Palomides  had, 
and  the  noble  name  that  himself  had,  and  then  he  made  a 
restraint  of  his  anger  ;  and  so  he  went  unto  Sir  Palomides 
a  soft  pace  and  said  :  Sir  Palomides,  I  have  heard  your 
complaint,  and  of  thy  treason  that  thou  hast  owed  me 
so  long,  and  wit  thou  well  therefore  thou  shalt  die  ;  and 
if  it  were  not  for  shame  of  knighthood  thou  shouldest 
not  escape  my  hands,  for  now  I  know  well  thou  hast 
awaited  me  with  treason.  Tell  me,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
how  thou  wilt  acquit  thee  ?  Sir,  said  Palomides,  thus  I 
will  acquit  me  :  as  for  Queen  La  Beale  Isoud,  ye  shall  wit 
well  that  I  love  her  above  all  other  ladies  in  this  world  ; 
and  well  I  wot  it  shall  befall  me  as  for  her  love  as  befell 
to  the  noble  knight  Sir  Kehydius,  that  died  for  the  love 
of  La  Beale  Isoud.  And  now,  Sir  Tristram,  I  will  that 
ye  wit  that  I  have  loved  La  Beale  Isoud  many  a  day,  and 
she  hath  been  the  causer  of  my  worship,  and  else  I  had 
been  the  most  simplest  knight  in  the  world.  For  by  her, 
and  because  of  her,  I  have  won  the  worship  that  I  have  ; 
for  when  I  remembered  me  of  La  Beale  Isoud  I  won  the 
worship  wheresomever  I  came  for  the  most  part ;  and  yet 


171  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

had  I  never  reward  nor  bounte  of  her  the  days  of  my  life, 
and  yet  have  I  been  her  knight  guerdonless.  And  there- 
fore, Sir  Tristram,  as  for  any  death  I  dread  not,  for  I  had 
as  lief  die  as  to  live.  And  if  I  were  armed  as  thou  art,  I 
should  lightly  do  battle  with  thee.  Well  have  ye  uttered 
your  treason,  said  Tristram.  I  have  done  to  you  no 
treason,  said  Palomides,  for  love  is  free  for  all  men,  and 
though  I  have  loved  your  lady,  she  is  my  lady  as  well  as 
yours  ;  howbeit  I  have  wrong  if  any  wrong  be,  for  ye 
rejoice  her,  and  have  your  desire  of  her,  and  so  had  I 
never  nor  never  am  like  to  have,  and  yet  shall  I  love  her 
to  the  uttermost  days  of  my  life  as  well  as  ye. 


CHAPTER   LXXXVII 

How  there  was  a  day  set  between  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir 
Palomides  for  to  fight  >  and  how  Sir  Tristram  was  hurt. 

THEN  said  Sir  Tristram  :  I  will  fight  with  you  to  the 
uttermost.  I  grant,  said  Palomides,  for  in  a  better 
quarrel  keep  I  never  to  fight,  for  an  I  die  of  your  hands, 
of  a  better  knight's  hands  may  I  not  be  slain.  And  sithen 
I  understand  that  I  shall  never  rejoice  La  Beale  Isoud,  I 
have  as  good  will  to  die  as  to  live.  Then  set  ye  a  day, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  that  we  shall  do  battle.  This  day 
fifteen  days,  said  Palomides,  will  I  meet  with  you  hereby, 
in  the  meadow  under  Joyous  Gard.  Fie  for  shame,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  will  ye  set  so  long  day  ?  let  us  fight 
to-morn.  Not  so,  said  Palomides,  for  I  am  meagre,  and 
have  been  long  sick  for  the  love  of  La  Beale  Isoud,  and 
therefore  I  will  repose  me  till  I  have  my  strength  again. 
So  then  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  promised  faith- 
fully to  meet  at  the  well  that  day  fifteen  days.  I  am 
remembered,  said  Sir  Tristram  to  Palomides,  that  ye 
brake  me  once  a  promise  when  that  I  rescued  you  from 
Breuse  Saunce  Pite  and  nine  knights ;  and  then  ye 
promised  me  to  meet  me  at  the  peron  and  the  grave 


CH.  LXXXVIII   OF  PALOMIDES  AND  TRISTRAM       173 

beside  Camelot,  whereas  at  that  time  ye  failed  of  your 
promise.  Wit  you  well,  said  Palomides  unto  Sir  Tristram, 
I  was  at  that  day  in  prison,  so  that  I  might  not  hold  my 
promise.  So  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Tristram,  an  ye 
had  holden  your  promise  this  work  had  not  been  here 
now  at  this  time. 

Right  so  departed  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides. 
And  so  Sir  Palomides  took  his  horse  and  his  harness,  and 
he  rode  unto  King  Arthur's  court ;  and  there  Sir  Palo- 
mides gat  him  four  knights  and  four  sergeants-of-arms, 
and  so  he  returned  againward  unto  Joyous  Card.  And 
in  the  meanwhile  Sir  Tristram  chased  and  hunted  at  all 
manner  of  venery  ;  and  about  three  days  afore  the  battle 
should  be,  as  Sir  Tristram  chased  an  hart,  there  was  an 
archer  shot  at  the  hart,  and  by  misfortune  he  smote  Sir 
Tristram  in  the  thick  of  the  thigh,  and  the  arrow  slew 
Sir  Tristram's  horse  and  hurt  him.  When  Sir  Tristram 
was  so  hurt  he  was  passing  heavy,  and  wit  ye  well  he  bled 
sore  ;  and  then  he  took  another  horse,  and  rode  unto 
Joyous  Gard  with  great  heaviness,  more  for  the  promise 
that  he  had  made  with  Sir  Palomides,  as  to  do  battle  with 
him  within  three  days  after,  than  for  any  hurt  of  his  thigh. 
Wherefore  there  was  neither  man  nor  woman  that  could 
cheer  him  with  anything  that  they  could  make  to  him, 
neither  Queen  La  Beale  Isoud  ;  for  ever  he  deemed  that 
Sir  Palomides  had  smitten  him  so  that  he  should  not  be 
able  to  do  battle  with  him  at  the  day  set. 


CHAPTER   LXXXVIII 

How  Sir  Palomides  kept  his  day  to  have  fought  en,  but  Sir 
Tristram  might  not  come ;  and  other  things. 

BUT  in  no  wise  there  was  no  knight  about  Sir  Tristram 
that  would  believe  that  ever  Sir  Palomides  would  hurt  Sir 
Tristram,  neither  by  his  own  hands  nor  by  none  other 
consenting.  Then  when  the  fifteenth  day  was  come,  Sir 


i74  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  x 

Palomides  came  to  the  well  with  four  knights  with  him 
of  Arthur's  court,  and  three  sergeants-of-arms.  And  for 
this  intent  Sir  Palomides  brought  the  knights  with  him 
and  the  sergeants-of-arms,  for  they  should  bear  record  of 
the  battle  betwixt  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides.  And 
the  one  sergeant  brought  in  his  helm,  the  other  his  spear, 
the  third  his  sword.  So  thus  Palomides  came  into  the 
field,  and  there  he  abode  nigh  two  hours ;  and  then  he 
sent  a  squire  unto  Sir  Tristram,  and  desired  him  to  come 
into  the  field  to  hold  his  promise. 

When  the  squire  was  come  to  Joyous  Gard,  anon  as 
Sir  Tristram  heard  of  his  coming  he  let  command  that  the 
squire  should  come  to  his  presence  thereas  he  lay  in  his 
bed.  My  lord  Sir  Tristram,  said  Palomides'  squire,  wit 
you  well  my  lord,  Palomides,  abideth  you  in  the  field, 
and  he  would  wit  whether  ye  would  do  battle  or  not. 
Ah,  my  fair  brother,  said  Sir  Tristram,  wit  thou  well  that 
I  am  right  heavy  for  these  tidings  ;  therefore  tell  Sir 
Palomides  an  I  were  well  at  ease  I  would  not  lie  here,  nor 
he  should  have  no  need  to  send  for  me  an  I  might  either 
ride  or  go  ;  and  for  thou  shalt  say  that  I  am  no  liar — Sir 
Tristram  showed  him  his  thigh  that  the  wound  was  six 
inches  deep.  And  now  thou  hast  seen  my  hurt,  tell  thy 
lord  that  this  is  no  feigned  matter,  and  tell  him  that  I  had 
liefer  than  all  the  gold  of  King  Arthur  that  I  were  whole ; 
and  tell  Palomides  as  soon  as  I  am  whole  I  shall  seek  him 
endlong  and  overthwart,  and  that  I  promise  you  as  I  am  true 
knight ;  and  if  ever  I  may  meet  with  him,  he  shall  have 
battle  of  me  his  fill.  And  with  this  the  squire  departed  ; 
and  when  Palomides  wist  that  Tristram  was  hurt  he  was 
glad  and  said  :  Now  I  am  sure  I  shall  have  no  shame,  for 
I  wot  well  I  should  have  had  hard  handling  of  him,  and 
by  likely  I  must  needs  have  had  the  worse,  for  he  is  the 
hardest  knight  in  battle  that  now  is  living  except  Sir 
Launcelot. 

And  then  departed  Sir  Palomides  whereas  fortune  led 
him,  and  within  a  month  Sir  Tristram  was  whole  of  his 
hurt.  And  then  he  took  his  horse,  and  rode  from 
country  to  country,  and  all  strange  adventures  he  achieved 


CH.  i  xxx  viii  END  OF  THE  BOOK  OF  TRISTRAM  175 

wheresomever  he  rode  ;  and  always  he  enquired  for  Sir 
Palomides,  but  of  all  that  quarter  of  summer  Sir  Tristram 
could  never  meet  with  Sir  Palomides.  But  thus  as  Sir 
Tristram  sought  and  enquired  after  Sir  Palomides  Sir 
Tristram  achieved  many  great  battles,  wherethrough  all 
the  noise  fell  to  Sir  Tristram,  and  it  ceased  of  Sir  Launce- 
lot  ;  and  therefore  Sir  Launcelot's  brethren  and  his 
kinsmen  would  have  slain  Sir  Tristram  because  of  his 
fame.  But  when  Sir  Launcelot  wist  how  his  kinsmen 
were  set,  he  said  to  them  openly  :  Wit  you  well,  that  an 
the  envy  of  you  all  be  so  hardy  to  wait  upon  my  lord,  Sir 
Tristram,  with  any  hurt,  shame,  or  villainy,  as  I  am  true 
knight  I  shall  slay  the  best  of  you  with  mine  own  hands. 
Alas,  fie  for  shame,  should  ye  for  his  noble  deeds  await 
upon  him  to  slay  him.  Jesu  defend,  said  Launcelot,  that 
ever  any  noble  knight  as  Sir  Tristram  is  should  be  de- 
stroyed with  treason.  Of  this  noise  and  fame  sprang 
into  Cornwall,  and  among  them  of  Liones,  whereof  they 
were  passing  glad,  and  made  great  joy.  And  then  they 
of  Liones  sent  letters  unto  Sir  Tristram  of  recommenda- 
tion, and  many  great  gifts  to  maintain  Sir  Tristram's  estate  ; 
and  ever,  between,  Sir  Tristram  resorted  unto  Joyous  Card 
whereas  La  Beale  Isoud  was,  that  loved  him  as  her  life. 


entetfj  tfje  tentfj  fiooft  fofjirfj  is  of  Sir  Ertstrattu 
ijere  follofoett)  tfje  eiefontj)  fcoofe  tojjicij  is  of 
iLauncelot, 


BOOK    XI 


CHAPTER   I 

How  Sir  Launcelot  rode  on  his  adventure,  and  how  he  holp 
a  dolorous  lady  from  her  pain,  and  how  that  he  fought 
with  a  dragon. 

Now  leave  we  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones,  and  speak  we  of 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and  of  Sir  Galahad,  Sir  Launcelot's 
son,  how  he  was  gotten,  and  in  what  manner,  as  the  book 
of  French  rehearseth.  Afore  the  time  that  Sir  Galahad 
was  gotten  or  born,  there  came  in  an  hermit  unto  King 
Arthur  upon  Whitsunday,  as  the  knights  sat  at  the  Table 
Round.  And  when  the  hermit  saw  the  Siege  Perilous,  he 
asked  the  king  and  all  the  knights  why  that  siege  was 
void.  Sir  Arthur  and  all  the  knights  answered  :  There 
shall  never  none  sit  in  that  siege  but  one,  but  if  he  be 
destroyed.  Then  said  the  hermit :  Wot  ye  what  is  he  ? 
Nay,  said  Arthur  and  all  the  knights,  we  wot  not  who  is 
he  that  shall  sit  therein.  Then  wot  I,  said  the  hermit, 
for  he  that  shall  sit  there  is  unborn  and  ungotten,  and 
this  same  year  he  shall  be  gotten  that  shall  sit  there  in 
that  Siege  Perilous,  and  he  shall  win  the  Sangreal.  When 
this  hermit  had  made  this  mention  he  departed  from  the 
court  of  King  Arthur. 

And  then  after  this  feast  Sir  Launcelot  rode  on  his 
adventure,  till  on  a  time  by  adventure  he  passed  over  the 
pont  of  Corbin ;  and  there  he  saw  the  fairest  tower  that  ever 
he  saw,  and  there-under  was  a  fair  town  full  of  people  ;  and 
all  the  people,  men  and  women,  cried  at  once  :  Welcome, 


CHAP,  i  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  177 

Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  the  flower  of  all  knighthood, 
for  by  thee  all  we  shall  be  holpen  out  of  danger.  What 
mean  ye,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  ye  cry  so  upon  me  ? 
Ah,  fair  knight,  said  they  all,  here  is  within  this  tower  a 
dolorous  lady  that  hath  been  there  in  pains  many  winters 
and  days,  for  ever  she  boileth  in  scalding  water  ;  and  but 
late,  said  all  the  people,  Sir  Gawaine  was  here  and  he 
might  not  help  her,  and  so  he  left  her  in  pain.  So  may 
I,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  leave  her  in  pain  as  well  as  Sir 
Gawaine  did.  Nay,  said  the  people,  we  know  well  that 
it  is  Sir  Launcelot  that  shall  deliver  her.  Well,  said 
Launcelot,  then  shew  me  what  I  shall  do. 

Then  they  brought  Sir  Launcelot  into  the  tower ;  and 
when  he  came  to  the  chamber  thereas  this  lady  was,  the 
doors  of  iron  unlocked  and  unbolted.  And  so  Sir  Launce- 
lot went  into  the  chamber  that  was  as  hot  as  any  stew. 
And  there  Sir  Launcelot  took  the  fairest  lady  by  the  hand 
that  ever  he  saw,  and  she  was  naked  as  a  needle  ;  and  by 
enchantment  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay  and  the  Queen  of 
Northgalis  had  put  her  there  in  that  pains,  because  she 
was  called  the  fairest  lady  of  that  country  ;  and  there  she 
had  been  five  years,  and  never  might  she  be  delivered  out 
of  her  great  pains  unto  the  time  the  best  knight  of  the 
world  had  taken  her  by  the  hand.  Then  the  people 
brought  her  clothes.  And  when  she  was  arrayed,  Sir 
Launcelot  thought  she  was  the  fairest  lady  of  the  world, 
but  if  it  were  Queen  Guenever. 

Then  this  lady  said  to  Sir  Launcelot :  Sir,  if  it  please 
you  will  ye  go  with  me  hereby  into  a  chapel  that  we  may 
give  loving  and  thanking  unto  God  ?  Madam,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  come  on  with  me,  I  will  go  with  you.  So 
when  they  came  there  and  gave  thankings  to  God  all  the 
people,  both  learned  and  lewd,  gave  thankings  unto  God 
and  him,  and  said  :  Sir  knight,  since  ye  have  delivered 
this  lady,  ye  shall  deliver  us  from  a  serpent  there  is  here 
in  a  tomb.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  took  his  shield  and  said  : 
Bring  me  thither,  and  what  I  may  do  unto  the  pleasure 
of  God  and  you  I  will  do.  So  when  Sir  Launcelot  came 
thither  he  saw  written  upon  the  tomb  letters  of  gold  that 

VOL.  II  N 


178  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 

said  thus  :  Here  shall  come  a  leopard  of  king's  blood,  and 
he  shall  slay  this  serpent,  and  this  leopard  shall  engender 
a  lion  in  this  foreign  country,  the  which  lion  shall  pass  all 
other  knights.  So  then  Sir  Launcelot  lift  up  the  tomb, 
and  there  came  out  an  horrible  and  a  fiendly  dragon, 
spitting  fire  out  of  his  mouth.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  drew 
his  sword  and  fought  with  the  dragon  long,  and  at  the 
last  with  great  pain  Sir  Launcelot  slew  that  dragon. 
Therewithal  came  King  Pelles,  the  good  and  noble  knight, 
and  saluted  Sir  Launcelot,  and  he  him  again.  Fair  knight, 
said  the  king,  what  is  your  name  ?  I  require  you  of  your 
knighthood  tell  me  1 


CHAPTER   II 

How  Sir  Launcelot  came  to  Pelles,  and  of  the  Sangreal^  and 
of 'Elaine ',  King  Pelles  daughter. 

SIR,  said  Launcelot,  wit  you  well  my  name  is  Sir  Launce- 
lot du  Lake.  And  my  name  is,  said  the  king,  Pelles, 
king  of  the  foreign  country,  and  cousin  nigh  unto  Joseph 
of  Armathie.  And  then  either  of  them  made  much  of 
other,  and  so  they  went  into  the  castle  to  take  their 
repast.  And  anon  there  came  in  a  dove  at  a  window,  and 
in  her  mouth  there  seemed  a  little  censer  of  gold.  And 
therewithal  there  was  such  a  savour  as  all  the  spicery  of 
the  world  had  been  there.  And  forthwithal  there  was 
upon  the  table  all  manner  of  meats  and  drinks  that  they 
could  think  upon.  So  came  in  a  damosel  passing  fair  and 
young,  and  she  bare  a  vessel  of  gold  betwixt  her  hands ; 
and  thereto  the  king  kneeled  devoutly,  and  said  his 
prayers,  and  so  did  all  that  were  there.  O  Jesu,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  what  may  this  mean  ?  This  is,  said  the  king, 
the  richest  thing  that  any  man  hath  living.  And  when 
this  thing  goeth.  about,  the  Round  Table  shall  be  broken  ; 
and  wit  thou  well,  said  the  king,  this  is  the  holy  Sangreal 
that  ye  have  here  seen.  So  the  king  and  Sir  Launcelot 


CH.  ii    HOW  LAUNCELOT  CAME  TO  PELLES       179 

led  their  life  the  most  part  of  that  day.  And  fain  would 
King  Pelles  have  found  the  mean  to  have  had  Sir  Launce- 
lot  to  have  lain  by  his  daughter,  fair  Elaine.  And  for 
this  intent  :  the  king  knew  well  that  Sir  Launcelot  should 
get  a  child  upon  his  daughter,  the  which  should  be  named 
Sir  Galahad  the  good  knight,  by  whom  all  the  foreign  \S 
country  should  be  brought  out  of  danger,  and  by  him  the 
Holy  Greal  should  be  achieved. 

Then  came  forth  a  lady  that  hight  Dame  Brisen,  and 
she  said  unto  the  king  :  Sir,  wit  ye  well  Sir  Launcelot 
loveth  no  lady  in  the  world  but  all  only  Queen  Guenever  ; 
and  therefore  work  ye  by  counsel,  and  I  shall  make  him 
to  lie  with  your  daughter,  and  he  shall  not  wit  but  that 
he  lieth  with  Queen  Guenever.  O  fair  lady,  Dame  Brisen, 
said  the  king,  hope  ye  to  bring  this  about  ?  Sir,  said  she, 
upon  pain  of  my  life  let  me  deal ;  for  this  Brisen  was  one 
of  the  greatest  enchantresses  that  was  at  that  time  in  the 
world  living.  Then  anon  by  Dame  Brisen's  wit  she  made 
one  to  come  to  Sir  Launcelot  that  he  knew  well.  And 
this  man  brought  him  a  ring  from  Queen  Guenever  like 
as  it  had  come  from  her,  and  such  one  as  she  was  wont  for 
the  most  part  to  wear ;  and  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  that 
token  wit  ye  well  he  was  never  so  fain.  Where  is  my 
lady  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot.  In  the  Castle  of  Case,  said  the 
messenger,  but  five  mile  hence.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
thought  to  be  there  the  same  night.  And  then  this 
Brisen  by  the  commandment  of  King  Pelles  let  send 
Elaine  to  this  castle  with  twenty-five  knights  unto  the 
Castle  of  Case.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  against  night  rode 
unto  that  castle,  and  there  anon  he  was  received  worship- 
fully  with  such  people,  to  his  seeming,  as  were  about  Queen 
Guenever  secret. 

So  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  alighted,  he  asked  where 
the  queen  was.  So  Dame  Brisen  said  she  was  in  her  bed ; 
and  then  the  people  were  avoided,  and  Sir  Launcelot  was 
led  unto  his  chamber.  And  then  Dame  Brisen  brought  Sir 
Launcelot  a  cup  full  of  wine  ;  and  anon  as  he  had  drunken 
that  wine  he  was  so  assotted  and  mad  that  he  might  make 
no  delay,  but  withouten  any  let  he  went  to  bed  ;  and  he 


i8o  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  xi 

weened  that  maiden  Elaine  had  been  Queen  Guenever. 
Wit  you  well  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  glad,  and  so  was  that 
lady  Elaine  that  she  had  gotten  Sir  Launcelot  in  her  arms. 
For  well  she  knew  that  same  night  should  be  gotten  upon 
her  Galahad  that  should  prove  the  best  knight  of  the 
world  ;  and  so  they  lay  together  until  underne  of  the 
morn  ;  and  all  the  windows  and  holes  of  that  chamber 
were  stopped  that  no  manner  of  day  might  be  seen.  And 
then  Sir  Launcelot  remembered  him,  and  he  arose  up  and 
went  to  the  window. 


CHAPTER  III 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  displeased  when  he  knew  that  he 
had  lain  by  Dame  Elaine,  and  how  she  was  delivered 
of  Galahad. 

AND  anon  as  he  had  unshut  the  window  the  enchantment 
was  gone  ;  then  he  knew  himself  that  he  had  done  amiss. 
Alas,  he  said,  that  I  have  lived  so  long ;  now  I  am 
shamed.  So  then  he  gat  his  sword  in  his  hand  and  said  : 
Thou  traitress,  what  art  thou  that  I  have  lain  by  all  this 
night  ?  thou  shalt  die  right  here  of  my  hands.  Then  this 
fair  lady  Elaine  skipped  out  of  her  bed  all  naked,  and 
kneeled  down  afore  Sir  Launcelot,  and  said  :  Fair  courteous 
knight,  come  of  king's  blood,  I  require  you  have  mercy 
upon  me,  and  as  thou  art  renowned  the  most  noble  knight 
of  the  world,  slay  me  not,  for  I  have  in  my  womb  him  by 
thee  that  shall  be  the  most  noblest  knight  of  the  world. 
Ah,  false  traitress,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  why  hast  thou 
betrayed  me  ?  anon  tell  me  what  thou  art.  Sir,  she  said, 
I  am  Elaine,  the  daughter  of  King  Pelles.  Well,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  I  will  forgive  you  this  deed  ;  and  therewith  he 
took  her  up  in  his  arms,  and  kissed  her,  for  she  was  as  fair 
a  lady,  and  thereto  lusty  and  young,  and  as  wise,  as  any 
was  that  time  living.  So  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  may  not  wite  this  to  you  ;  but  her  that  made  this 
enchantment  upon  me  as  between  you  and  me,  an  I  may 


CHAP,  in       OF  THE  BIRTH  OF  GALAHAD  181 

find  her,  that  same  Lady  Brisen,  she  shall  lose  her  head 
for  witchcrafts,  for  there  was  never  knight  deceived  so  as 
I  am  this  night.  And  so  Sir  Launcelot  arrayed  him,  and 
armed  him,  and  took  his  leave  mildly  at  that  lady  young 
Elaine,  and  so  he  departed.  Then  she  said  :  My  lord  Sir 
Launcelot,  I  beseech  you  see  me  as  soon  as  ye  may,  for  I 
have  obeyed  me  unto  the  prophecy  that  my  father  told 
me.  And  by  his  commandment  to  fulfil  this  prophecy  1 
have  given  the  greatest  riches  and  the  fairest  flower  that 
ever  I  had,  and  that  is  my  maidenhood  that  I  shall  never 
have  again  ;  and  therefore,  gentle  knight,  owe  me  your 
goodwill. 

And  so  Sir  Launcelot  arrayed  him  and  was  armed, 
and  took  his  leave  mildly  at  that  young  lady  Elaine  ;  and 
so  he  departed,  and  rode  till  he  came  to  the  Castle  of 
Cor  bin,  where  her  father  was.  And  as  fast  as  her  time 
came  she  was  delivered  of  a  fair  child,  and  they  christened 
him  Galahad  ;  and  wit  ye  well  that  child  was  well  kept 
and  well  nourished,  and  he  was  named  Galahad  because 
Sir  Launcelot  was  so  named  at  the  fountain  stone  ;  and 
after  that  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  confirmed  him  Sir  Launce- 
lot du  Lake. 

Then  after  this  lady  was  delivered  and  churched,  there 
came  a  knight  unto  her,  his  name  was  Sir  Bromel  la  Pleche, 
the  which  was  a  great  lord  ;  and  he  had  loved  that  lady 
long,  and  he  evermore  desired  her  to  wed  her  ;  and  so  by 
no  mean  she  could  put  him  off",  till  on  a  day  she  said  to  Sir 
Bromel  :  Wit  thou  well,  sir  knight,  I  will  not  love  you, 
for  my  love  is  set  upon  the  best  knight  of  the  world. 
Who  is  he  ?  said  Sir  Bromel.  Sir,  she  said,  it  is  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake  that  I  love  and  none  other,  and  there- 
fore woo  me  no  longer.  Ye  say  well,  said  Sir  Bromel,  and 
sithen  ye  have  told  me  so  much,  ye  shall  have  but  little  joy 
of  Sir  Launcelot,  for  I  shall  slay  him  wheresomever  I  meet 
him.  Sir,  said  the  Lady  Elaine,  do  to  him  no  treason. 
Wit  ye  well,  my  lady,  said  Bromel,  and  I  promise  you 
this  twelvemonth  I  shall  keep  the  pont  of  Corbin  for  Sir 
Launcelot's  sake,  that  he  shall  neither  come  nor  go  unto 
you,  but  I  shall  meet  with  him. 


182  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 


CHAPTER   IV 

How  Sir  Bors  came  to  Dame  Elaine  and  saw  Galahad^ 
and  how  he  was  fed  with  the  SangreaL 

THEN  as  it  fell  by  fortune  and  adventure,  Sir  Bors  de 
Ganis,  that  was  nephew  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  came  over  that 
bridge  ;  and  there  Sir  Bromel  and  Sir  Bors  jousted,  and 
Sir  Bors  smote  Sir  Bromel  such  a  buffet  that  he  bare  him 
over  his  horse's  croup.  And  then  Sir  Bromel,  as  an  hardy 
knight,  pulled  out  his  sword,  and  dressed  his  shield  to  do 
battle  with  Sir  Bors.  And  then  Sir  Bors  alighted  and 
avoided  his  horse,  and  there  they  dashed  together  many  sad 
strokes ;  and  long  thus  they  fought,  till  at  the  last  Sir 
Bromel  was  laid  to  the  earth,  and  there  Sir  Bors  began  to 
unlace  his  helm  to  slay  him.  Then  Sir  Bromel  cried  Sir 
Bors  mercy,  and  yielded  him.  Upon  this  covenant  thou 
shalt  have  thy  life,  said  Sir  Bors,  so  thou  go  unto  Sir 
Launcelot  upon  Whitsunday  that  next  cometh,  and  yield 
thee  unto  him  as  knight  recreant.  I  will  do  it,  said  Sir 
Bromel,  and  that  he  sware  upon  the  cross  of  the  sword. 
And  so  he  let  him  depart,  and  Sir  Bors  rode  unto  King 
Pelles,  that  was  within  Corbin. 

And  when  the  king  and  Elaine  his  daughter  wist  that 
Sir  Bors  was  nephew  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  they  made  him 
great  cheer.  Then  said  Dame  Elaine  :  We  marvel  where 
Sir  Launcelot  is,  for  he  came  never  here  but  once.  Marvel 
not,  said  Sir  Bors,  for  this  half  year  he  hath  been  in  prison 
with  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay,  King  Arthur's  sister.  Alas, 
said  Dame  Elaine,  that  me  repenteth.  And  ever  Sir  Bors 
beheld  that  child  in  her  arms,  and  ever  him  seemed  it  was 
passing  like  Sir  Launcelot.  Truly,  said  Elaine,  wit  ye  well 
this  child  he  gat  upon  me.  Then  Sir  Bors  wept  for  joy, 
and  he  prayed  to  God  it  might  prove  as  good  a  knight  as 
his  father  was.  And  so  came  in  a  white  dove,  and  she 
bare  a  little  censer  of  gold  in  her  mouth,  and  there  was  all 
manner  of  meats  and  drinks  ;  and  a  maiden  bare  that 


CHAP,  iv    OF  KING  PELLES  AND  SIR  BORS  183 

Sangreal,  and  she  said  openly  :  Wit  you  well,  Sir  Bors, 
that  this  child  is  Galahad,  that  shall  sit  in  the  Siege  Perilous, 
and  achieve  the  Sangreal,  and  he  shall  be  much  better  than 
ever  was  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  that  is  his  own  father. 
And  then  they  kneeled  down  and  made  their  devotions, 
and  there  was  such  a  savour  as  all  the  spicery  in  the  world 
had  been  there.  And  when  the  dove  took  her  flight,  the 
maiden  vanished  with  the  Sangreal  as  she  came. 

Sir,  said  Sir  Bors  unto  King  Pelles,  this  castle  may  be 
named  the  Castle  Adventurous,  for  here  be  many  strange 
adventures.  That  is  sooth,  said  the  king,  for  well  may 
this  place  be  called  the  adventures  place,  for  there  come 
but  few  knights  here  that  go  away  with  any  worship  ;  be 
he  never  so  strong,  here  he  may  be  proved  ;  and  but  late 
Sir  Gawaine,  the  good  knight,  gat  but  little  worship  here. 
For  I  let  you  wit,  said  King  Pelles,  here  shall  no  knight 
win  no  worship  but  if  he  be  of  worship  himself  and  of 
good  living,  and  that  loveth  God  and  dreadeth  God,  and 
else  he  getteth  no  worship  here,  be  he  never  so  hardy. 
That  is  wonderful  thing,  said  Sir  Bors.  What  ye  mean  in 
this  country  I  wot  not,  for  ye  have  many  strange  adven- 
tures, and  therefore  I  will  lie  in  this  castle  this  night.  Ye 
shall  not  do  so,  said  King  Pelles,  by  my  counsel,  for  it  is 
hard  an  ye  escape  without  a  shame.  I  shall  take  the 
adventure  that  will  befall  me,  said  Sir  Bors.  Then  I 
counsel  you,  said  the  king,  to  be  confessed  clean.  As  for 
that,  said  Sir  Bors,  I  will  be  shriven  with  a  good  will.  So 
Sir  Bors  was  confessed,  and  for  all  women  Sir  Bors  was  a 
virgin,  save  for  one,  that  was  the  daughter  of  King  Bran- 
goris,  and  on  her  he  gat  a  child  that  hight  Elaine,  and  save 
for  her  Sir  Bors  was  a  clean  maiden. 

And  so  Sir  Bors  was  led  unto  bed  in  a  fair  large 
chamber,  and  many  doors  were  shut  about  the  chamber. 
When  Sir  Bors  espied  all  those  doors,  he  avoided  all  the 
people,  for  he  might  have  nobody  with  him  ;  but  in  no 
wise  Sir  Bors  would  unarm  him,  but  so  he  laid  him  down 
upon  the  bed.  And  right  so  he  saw  come  in  a  light,  that 
he  might  well  see  a  spear  great  and  long  that  came  straight 
upon  him  pointling,  and  to  Sir  Bors  seemed  that  the  head 


184  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 

of  the  spear  brent  like  a  taper.  And  anon,  or  Sir  Bors 
wist,  the  spear  head  smote  him  into  the  shoulder  an  hand- 
breadth  in  deepness,  and  that  wound  grieved  Sir  Bors  passing 
sore.  And  then  he  laid  him  down  again  for  pain  ;  and 
anon  therewithal  there  came  a  knight  armed  with  his  shield 
on  his  shoulder  and  his  sword  in  his  hand,  and  he  bade  Sir 
Bors  :  Arise,  sir  knight,  and  fight  with  me.  I  am  sore 
hurt,  he  said,  but  yet  I  shall  not  fail  thee.  And  then  Sir 
Bors  started  up  and  dressed  his  shield  ;  and  then  they 
lashed  together  mightily  a  great  while  ;  and  at  the  last  Sir 
Bors  bare  him  backward  until  that  he  came  unto  a  chamber 
door,  and  there  that  knight  yede  into  that  chamber  and 
rested  him  a  great  while.  And  when  he  had  reposed  him 
he  came  out  freshly  again,  and  began  new  battle  with  Sir 
Bors  mightily  and  strongly. 


CHAPTER  V 

How  Sir  Bors  made  Sir  Pedivere  to  yield  him,  and  of  mar- 
vellous adventures  that  he  had,  and  how  he  achieved 
them. 

THEN  Sir  Bors  thought  he  should  no  more  go  into  that 
chamber  to  rest  him,  and  so  Sir  Bors  dressed  him  betwixt 
the  knight  and  that  chamber  door,  and  there  Sir  Bors 
smote  him  down,  and  then  that  knight  yielded  him. 
What  is  your  name  ?  said  Sir  Bors.  Sir,  said  he,  my  name 
is  Pedivere  of  the  Straight  Marches.  So  Sir  Bors  made 
him  to  swear  at  Whitsunday  next  coming  to  be  at  the 
court  of  King  Arthur,  and  yield  him  there  as  a  prisoner 
as  an  overcome  knight  by  the  hands  of  Sir  Bors.  So  thus 
departed  Sir  Pedivere  of  the  Straight  Marches.  And  then 
Sir  Bors  laid  him  down  to  rest,  and  then  he  heard  and  felt 
much  noise  in  that  chamber ;  and  then  Sir  Bors  espied 
that  there  came  in,  he  wist  not  whether  at  the  doors  nor 
windows,  shot  of  arrows  and  of  quarrels  so  thick  that  he 
marvelled,  and  many  fell  upon  him  and  hurt  him  in  the 
bare  places. 


CH.  vi    OF  SIR  BORS  AND  HIS  ADVENTURES        185 

And  then  Sir  Bors  was  ware  where  came  in  an  hideous 
lion  ;  so  Sir  Bors  dressed  him  unto  the  lion,  and  anon  the 
lion  bereft  him  his  shield,  and  with  his  sword  Sir  Bors 
smote  off  the  lion's  head.  Right  so  Sir  Bors  forthwithal 
saw  a  dragon  in  the  court  passing  horrible,  and  there 
seemed  letters  of  gold  written  in  his  forehead  ;  and  Sir  Bors 
thought  that  the  letters  made  a  signification  of  King 
Arthur.  Right  so  there  came  an  horrible  leopard  and  an 
old,  and  there  they  fought  long,  and  did  great  battle 
together.  And  at  the  last  the  dragon  spit  out  of  his 
mouth  as  it  had  been  an  hundred  dragons  ;  and  lightly  all 
the  small  dragons  slew  the  old  dragon  and  tare  him  all  to 
pieces. 

Anon  withal  there  came  an  old  man  into  the  hall,  and 
he  sat  him  down  in  a  fair  chair,  and  there  seemed  to  be 
two  adders  about  his  neck  ;  and  then  the  old  man  had 
an  harp,  and  there  he  sang  an  old  song  how  Joseph  of 
Armathie  came  into  this  land.  Then  when  he  had  sung,  the 
old  man  bade  Sir  Bors  go  from  thence.  For  here  shall  ye 
have  no  more  adventures  ;  and  full  worshipfully  have  ye 
done,  and  better  shall  ye  do  hereafter.  And  then  Sir  Bors 
seemed  that  there  came  the  whitest  dove  with  a  little  golden 
censer  in  her  mouth.  And  anon  therewithal  the  tempest 
ceased  and  passed,  that  afore  was  marvellous  to  hear.  So 
was  all  that  court  full  of  good  savours.  Then  Sir  Bors  saw 
four  children  bearing  four  fair  tapers,  and  an  old  man  in 
the  midst  of  the  children  with  a  censer  in  his  own  hand, 
and  a  spear  in  his  other  hand,  and  that  spear  was  called  the 
Spear  of  Vengeance. 


CHAPTER   VI 

How  Sir  Bors  departed ;  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  was 
rebuked  of  Queen  Guenever,  and  of  his  excuse. 

Now,  said  that  old  man  to  Sir  Bors,  go  ye  to  your  cousin, 
Sir  Launcelot,  and  tell  him  of  this  adventure  the  which 


1 86  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 

had  been  most  convenient  for  him  of  all  earthly  knights  ; 
but  sin  is  so  foul  in  him  he  may  not  achieve  such  holy 
deeds,  for  had  not  been  his  sin  he  had  passed  all  the 
knights  that  ever  were  in  his  days  ;  and  tell  thou  Sir 
Launcelot,  of  all  worldly  adventures  he  passeth  in  manhood 
and  prowess  all  other,  but  in  this  spiritual  matters  he  shall 
have  many  his  better.  And  then  Sir  Bors  saw  four  gentle- 
women come  by  him,  purely  beseen  :  and  he  saw  where 
that  they  entered  into  a  chamber  where  was  great  light  as 
it  were  a  summer  light ;  and  the  women  kneeled  down 
afore  an  altar  of  silver  with  four  pillars,  and  as  it  had  been 
a  bishop  kneeled  down  afore  that  table  of  silver.  And  as 
Sir  Bors  looked  over  his  head  he  saw  a  sword  like  silver, 
naked,  hoving  over  his  head,  and  the  clearness  thereof 
smote  so  in  his  eyes  that  as  at  that  time  Sir  Bors  was  blind ; 
and  there  he  heard  a  voice  that  said  :  Go  hence,  thou  Sir 
Bors,  for  as  yet  thou  art  not  worthy  for  to  be  in  this  place. 
And  then  he  yede  backward  to  his  bed  till  on  the  morn. 
And  on  the  morn  King  Pelles  made  great  joy  of  Sir  Bors  ; 
and  then  he  departed  and  rode  to  Camelot,  and  there  he 
found  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and  told  him  of  the  adven- 
tures that  he  had  seen  with  King  Pelles  at  Corbin. 

So  the  noise  sprang  in  Arthur's  court  that  Launcelot 
had  gotten  a  child  upon  Elaine,  the  daughter  of  King 
Pelles,  wherefore  Queen  Guenever  was  wroth,  and  gave 
many  rebukes  to  Sir  Launcelot,  and  called  him  false  knight. 
And  then  Sir  Launcelot  told  the  queen  all,  and  how  he 
was  made  to  lie  by  her  by  enchantment  in  likeness  of  the 
queen.  So  the  queen  held  Sir  Launcelot  excused.  And 
as  the  book  saith,  King  Arthur  had  been  in  France,  and 
had  made  war  upon  the  mighty  King  Claudas,  and  had 
much  of  his  lands.  And  when  the  king  was  come 
again  he  let  cry  a  great  feast,  that  all  lords  and  ladies  of 
all  England  should  be  there,  but  if  it  were  such  as  were 
rebellious  against  him. 


CH.  vii    HOW  ELAINE  CAME  TO  CAMELOT        187 


CHAPTER   VII 

How  Dame  Elaine,  Galahad's  mother,  came  in  great  estate 
unto  Camelot,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  behaved  him 
there. 

AND  when  Dame  Elaine,  the  daughter  of  King  Pelles, 
heard  of  this  feast  she  went  to  her  father  and  required 
him  that  he  would  give  her  leave  to  ride  to  that  feast. 
The  king  answered :  I  will  well  ye  go  thither,  but  in  any 
wise  as  ye  love  me  and  will  have  my  blessing,  that  ye  be 
well  beseen  in  the  richest  wise  ;  and  look  that  ye  spare 
not  for  no  cost ;  ask  and  ye  shall  have  all  that  you  needeth. 
Then  by  the  advice  of  Dame  Brisen,  her  maiden,  all  thing 
was  apparelled  unto  the  purpose,  that  there  was  never 
no  lady  more  richlier  beseen.  So  she  rode  with  twenty 
knights,  and  ten  ladies,  and  gentlewomen,  to  the  number 
of  an  hundred  horses.  And  when  she  came  to  Camelot, 
King  Arthur  and  Queen  Guenever  said,  and  all  the 
knights,  that  Dame  Elaine  was  the  fairest  and  the  best 
beseen  lady  that  ever  was  seen  in  that  court.  And  anon 
as  King  Arthur  wist  that  she  was  come  he  met  her  and 
saluted  her,  and  so  did  the  most  part  of  all  the  knights  of 
the  Round  Table,  both  Sir  Tristram,  Sir  Bleoberis,  and 
Sir  Gawaine,  and  many  more  that  I  will  not  rehearse. 
But  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  her  he  was  so  ashamed,  and 
that  because  he  drew  his  sword  on  the  morn  when  he  had 
lain  by  her,  that  he  would  not  salute  her  nor  speak  to  her ; 
and  yet  Sir  Launcelot  thought  she  was  the  fairest  woman 
that  ever  he  saw  in  his  life-days. 

But  when  Dame  Elaine  saw  Sir  Launcelot  that  would 
not  speak  unto  her  she  was  so  heavy  that  she  weened  her 
heart  would  have  to-brast ;  for  wit  you  well,  out  of  measure 
she  loved  him.  And  then  Elaine  said  unto  her  woman, 
Dame  Brisen  :  The  unkindness  of  Sir  Launcelot  slayeth 
me  near.  Ah,  peace,  madam,  said  Dame  Brisen,  I  will 
undertake  that  this  night  he  shall  lie  with  you,  an  ye 


1 88  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 

would  hold  you  still.  That  were  me  liefer,  said  Dame 
Elaine,  than  all  the  gold  that  is  above  the  earth.  Let  me 
deal,  said  Dame  Brisen.  So  when  Elaine  was  brought 
unto  Queen  Guenever  either  made  other  good  cheer  by 
countenance,  but  nothing  with  hearts.  But  all  men  and 
women  spake  of  the  beauty  of  Dame  Elaine,  and  of  her 
great  riches. 

Then,  at  night,  the  queen  commanded  that  Dame 
Elaine  should  sleep  in  a  chamber  nigh  her  chamber,  and 
all  under  one  roof ;  and  so  it  was  done  as  the  queen  com- 
manded. Then  the  queen  sent  for  Sir  Launcelot  and 
bade  him  come  to  her  chamber  that  night :  Or  else  I  am 
sure,  said  the  queen,  that  ye  will  go  to  your  lady's  bed, 
Dame  Elaine,  by  whom  ye  gat  Galahad.  Ah,  madam, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  never  say  ye  so,  for  that  I  did  was 
against  my  will.  Then,  said  the  queen,  look  that  ye 
come  to  me  when  I  send  for  you.  Madam,  said  Launce- 
lot, I  shall  not  fail  you,  but  I  shall  be  ready  at  your 
commandment.  This  bargain  was  soon  done  and  made 
between  them,  but  Dame  Brisen  knew  it  by  her  crafts, 
and  told  it  to  her  lady,  Dame  Elaine.  Alas,  said  she, 
how  shall  I  do  ?  Let  me  deal,  said  Dame  Brisen,  for  I 
shall  bring  him  by  the  hand  even  to  your  bed,  and  he 
shall  ween  that  I  am  Queen  Guenever's  messenger.  Now 
well  is  me,  said  Dame  Elaine,  for  all  the  world  I  love  not 
so  much  as  I  do  Sir  Launcelot. 


CHAPTER   VIII 

How  Dame  Brisen  by  enchantment  brought  Sir  Launcelot  to 
Dame  Elaine 's  bed,  and  how  Queen  Guenever  rebuked 
him. 

So  when  time  came  that  all  folks  were  abed,  Dame 
Brisen  came  to  Sir  Launcelot's  bed's  side  and  said  :  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake,  sleep  you  ?  My  lady,  Queen  Guen- 
ever, lieth  and  awaiteth  upon  you.  O  my  fair  lady,  said 


CH.  vni    OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER         189 

Sir  Launcelot,  I  am  ready  to  go  with  you  where  ye  will 
have  me.  So  Sir  Launcelot  threw  upon  him  a  long  gown, 
and  his  sword  in  his  hand  ;  and  then  Dame  Brisen  took 
him  by  the  finger  and  led  him  to  her  lady's  bed,  Dame 
Elaine  ;  and  then  she  departed  and  left  them  in  bed  to- 
gether. Wit  you  well  the  lady  was  glad,  and  so  was  Sir 
Launcelot,  for  he  weened  that  he  had  had  another  in  his 
arms. 

Now  leave  we  them  kissing  and  clipping,  as  was  kindly 
thing  ;  and  now  speak  we  of  Queen  Guenever  that  sent 
one  of  her  women  unto  Sir  Launcelot' s  bed  ;  and  when 
she  came  there  she  found  the  bed  cold,  and  he  was  away  ; 
so  she  came  to  the  queen  and  told  her  all.  Alas,  said  the 
queen,  where  is  that  false  knight  become?  Then  the 
queen  was  nigh  out  of  her  wit,  and  then  she  writhed  and 
weltered  as  a  mad  woman,  and  might  not  sleep  a  four  or 
five  hours.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  had  a  condition  that  he 
used  of  custom,  he  would  clatter  in  his  sleep,  and  speak 
oft  of  his  lady,  Queen  Guenever.  So  as  Sir  Launcelot 
had  waked  as  long  as  it  had  pleased  him,  then  by  course 
of  kind  he  slept,  and  Dame  Elaine  both.  And  in  his  sleep 
he  talked  and  clattered  as  a  jay,  of  the  love  that  had  been 
betwixt  Queen  Guenever  and  him.  And  so  as  he  talked 
so  loud  the  queen  heard  him  thereas  she  lay  in  her 
chamber  ;  and  when  she  heard  him  so  clatter  she  was  nigh 
wood  and  out  of  her  mind,  and  for  anger  and  pain  wist 
not  what  to  do.  And  then  she  coughed  so  loud  that  Sir 
Launcelot  awaked,  and  he  knew  her  hemming.  And  then 
he  knew  well  that  he  lay  not  by  the  queen  ;  and  therewith 
he  leapt  out  of  his  bed  as  he  had  been  a  wood  man,  in  his 
shirt,  and  the  queen  met  him  in  the  floor  ;  and  thus  she 
said  :  False  traitor  knight  that  thou  art,  look  thou  never 
abide  in  my  court,  and  avoid  my  chamber,  and  not  so 
hardy,  thou  false  traitor  knight  that  thou  art,  that  ever 
thou  come  in  my  sight.  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot;  and 
therewith  he  took  such  an  heartly  sorrow  at  her  words 
that  he  fell  down  to  the  floor  in  a  swoon.  And  there- 
withal Queen  Guenever  departed.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 
awoke  of  his  swoon,  he  leapt  out  at  a  bay  window  into  a 


190  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 

garden,  and  there  with  thorns  he  was  all  to-scratched  in 

his  visage  and  his  body  ;  and  so  he  ran  forth  he  wist  not 

/whither,  and  was  wild  wood  as  ever  was  man  ;  and  so  he 

*S  ran  two  year,  and  never  man  might  have  grace  to  know 

him. 


CHAPTER   IX 

How  Dame  Elaine  was  commanded  by  Queen  Guenever  to 
avoid  the  court,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  became  mad. 

Now  turn  we  unto  Queen  Guenever  and  to  the  fair 
Lady  Elaine,  that  when  Dame  Elaine  heard  the  queen  so 
to  rebuke  Sir  Launcelot,  and  also  she  saw  how  he  swooned, 
and  how  he  leaped  out  at  a  bay  window,  then  she  said  unto 
Queen  Guenever  :  Madam,  ye  are  greatly  to  blame  for  Sir 
Launcelot,  for  now  have  ye  lost  him,  for  I  saw  and  heard 
by  his  countenance  that  he  is  mad  for  ever.  Alas,  madam, 
ye  do  great  sin,  and  to  yourself  great  dishonour,  for  ye 
have  a  lord  of  your  own,  and  therefore  it  is  your  part  to 
love  him  ;  for  there  is  no  queen  in  this  world  hath  such 
another  king  as  ye  have.  And,  if  ye  were  not,  I  might 
have  the  love  of  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  cause  I  have 
to  love  him  for  he  had  my  maidenhood,  and  by  him  I  have 
borne  a  fair  son,  and  his  name  is  Galahad,  and  he  shall  be 
in  his  time  the  best  knight  of  the  world.  Dame  Elaine, 
said  the  queen,  when  it  is  daylight  I  charge  you  and  com- 
mand you  to  avoid  my  court ;  and  for  the  love  ye  owe 
unto  Sir  Launcelot  discover  not  his  counsel,  for  an  ye  do, 
it  will  be  his  death.  As  for  that,  said  Dame  Elaine,  I  dare 
undertake  he  is  marred  for  ever,  and  that  have  ye  made  ; 
for  ye,  nor  I,  are  like  to  rejoice  him  ;  for  he  made  the  most 
piteous  groans  when  he  leapt  out  at  yonder  bay  window 
that  ever  I  heard  man  make.  Alas,  said  fair  Elaine,  and 
alas,  said  the  Queen  Guenever,  for  now  I  wot  well  we 
have  lost  him  for  ever. 

So  on  the  morn  Dame  Elaine  took  her  leave  to  depart, 
and  she  would  no    longer    abide.     Then    King   Arthur 


OH.  ix    OF  QUEEN  GUENEVER  AND  ELAINE       191 

brought  her  on  her  way  with  mo  than  an  hundred 
knights  through  a  forest.  And  by  the  way  she  told  Sir 
Bors  de  Ganis  all  how  it  betid  that  same  night,  and  how 
Sir  Launcelot  leapt  out  at  a  window,  araged  out  of  his 
wit.  Alas,  said  Sir  Bors,  where  is  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot, 
become  ?  Sir,  said  Elaine,  I  wot  ne'er.  Alas,  said  Sir  Bors, 
betwixt  you  both  ye  have  destroyed  that  good  knight.  As 
for  me,  said  Dame  Elaine,  I  said  never  nor  did  never 
thing  that  should  in  any  wise  displease  him,  but  with 
the  rebuke  that  Queen  Guenever  gave  him  I  saw  him 
swoon  to  the  earth  ;  and  when  he  awoke  he  took  his  sword 
in  his  hand,  naked  save  his  shirt,  and  leapt  out  at  a  window 
with  the  grisliest  groan  that  ever  I  heard  man  make.  Now 
farewell,  Dame  Elaine,  said  Sir  Bors,  and  hold  my  lord 
Arthur  with  a  tale  as  long  as  ye  can,  for  I  will  turn  again 
to  Queen  Guenever  and  give  her  a  hete  ;  and  I  require 
you,  as  ever  ye  will  have  my  service,  make  good  watch  and 
espy  if  ever  ye  may  see  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot.  Truly, 
said  fair  Elaine,  I  shall  do  all  that  I  may  do,  for  as  fain 
would  I  know  and  wit  where  he  is  become,  as  you,  or  any 
of  his  kin,  or  Queen  Guenever ;  and  cause  great  enough 
have  I  thereto  as  well  as  any  other.  And  wit  ye  well,  said 
fair  Elaine  to  Sir  Bors,  I  would  lose  my  life  for  him  rather 
than  he  should  be  hurt ;  but  alas,  I  cast  me  never  for  to 
see  him,  and  the  chief  causer  of  this  is  Dame  Guenever. 
Madam,  said  Dame  Brisen,  the  which  had  made  the 
enchantment  before  betwixt  Sir  Launcelot  and  her,  I  pray 
you  heartily,  let  Sir  Bors  depart,  and  hie  him  with  all  his 
might  as  fast  as  he  may  to  seek  Sir  Launcelot,  for  I  warn 
you  he  is  clean  out  of  his  mind  ;  and  yet  he  shall  be  well 
holpen  an  but  by  miracle. 

Then  wept  Dame  Elaine,  and  so  did  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis; 
and  so  they  departed,  and  Sir  Bors  rode  straight  unto 
Queen  Guenever.  And  when  she  saw  Sir  Bors  she  wept 
as  she  were  wood.  Fie  on  your  weeping,  said  Sir  Bors  de 
Ganis,  for  ye  weep  never  but  when  there  is  no  bote.  Alas, 
said  Sir  Bors,  that  ever  Sir  Launcelot's  kin  saw  you,  for 
now  have  ye  lost  the  best  knight  of  our  blood,  and  he 
that  was  all  our  leader  and  our  succour ;  and  I  dare  say 


192  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 

and  make  it  good  that  all  kings,  Christian  nor  heathen,  may 
not  find  such  a  knight,  for  to  speak  of  his  nobleness  and 
courtesy,  with  his  beauty  and  his  gentleness.  Alas,  said 
Sir  Bors,  what  shall  we  do  that  be  of  his  blood  ?  Alas, 
said  Sir  Ector  de  Maris.  Alas,  said  Lionel. 


CHAPTER   X 

What  sorrow  Queen  Guenever  made  for  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
how  he  was  sought  by  knights  of  his  kin. 

AND  when  the  queen  heard  them  say  so  she  fell  to  the 
earth  in  a  dead  swoon.  And  then  Sir  Bors  took  her  up, 
and  dawed  her  ;  and  when  she  was  awaked  she  kneeled 
afore  the  three  knights,  and  held  up  both  her  hands,  and 
besought  them  to  seek  him.  And  spare  not  for  no  goods 
but  that  he  be  found,  for  I  wot  he  is  out  of  his  mind.  And 
Sir  Bors,  Sir  Ector,  and  Sir  Lionel  departed  from  the 
queen,  for  they  might  not  abide  no  longer  for  sorrow. 
And  then  the  queen  sent  them  treasure  enough  for  their 
expenses,  and  so  they  took  their  horses  and  their  armour, 
and  departed.  And  then  they  rode  from  country  to 
country,  in  forests,  and  in  wilderness,  and  in  wastes  ;  and 
ever  they  laid  watch  both  at  forests  and  at  all  manner  of 
men  as  they  rode,  to  hearken  and  spere  after  him,  as  he 
that  was  a  naked  man,  in  his  shirt,  with  a  sword  in  his 
hand.  And  thus  they  rode  nigh  a  quarter  of  a  year,  end- 
long and  overthwart,  in  many  places,  forests  and  wilderness, 
and  oft-times  were  evil  lodged  for  his  sake  ;  and  yet  for  all 
their  labour  and  seeking  could  they  never  hear  word  of 
him.  And  wit  you  well  these  three  knights  were  passing 
sorry. 

Then  at  the  last  Sir  Bors  and  his  fellows  met  with 
a  knight  that  hight  Sir  Melion  de  Tartare.  Now  fair 
knight,  said  Sir  Bors,  whither  be  ye  away  ?  for  they  knew 
either  other  afore  time.  Sir,  said  Melion,  I  am  in  the  way 
toward  the  court  of  King  Arthur.  Then  we  pray  you, 


CH.  x      OF  THE  SORROW  FOR  LAUNCELOT        193 

said  Sir  Bors,  that  ye  will  tell  my  lord  Arthur,  and  my  lady, 
Queen  Guenever,  and  all  the  fellowship  of  the  Round 
Table,  that  we  cannot  in  no  wise  hear  tell  where  Sir  Laun- 
celot  is  become.  Then  Sir  Melion  departed  from  them, 
and  said  that  he  would  tell  the  king,  and  the  queen,  and 
all  the  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table,  as  they  had  desired 
him.  So  when  Sir  Melion  came  to  the  court  of  King 
Arthur  he  told  the  king,  and  the  queen,  and  all  the 
fellowship  of  the  Round  Table,  what  Sir  Bors  had  said  of 
Sir  Launcelot.  Then  Sir  Gawaine,  Sir  Uwaine,  Sir  Sagra- 
more  le  Desirous,  Sir  Aglovale,  and  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis 
took  upon  them  by  the  great  desire  of  King  Arthur,  and 
in  especial  by  the  queen,  to  seek  throughout  all  England, 
Wales,  and  Scotland,  to  find  Sir  Launcelot,  and  with  them 
rode  eighteen  knights  mo  to  bear  them  fellowship  ;  and 
wit  ye  well,  they  lacked  no  manner  of  spending  ;  and  so 
were  they  three  and  twenty  knights. 

Now  turn  we  to  Sir  Launcelot,  and  speak  we  of  his 
care  and  woe,  and  what  pain  he  there  endured ;  for  cold, 
hunger,  and  thirst,  he  had  plenty.  And  thus  as  these 
noble  knights  rode  together,  they  by  one  assent  departed, 
and  then  they  rode  by  two,  by  three,  and  by  four,  and  by 
five,  and  ever  they  assigned  where  they  should  meet.  And  so 
Sir  Aglovale  and  Sir  Percivale  rode  together  unto  their 
mother  that  was  a  queen  in  those  days.  And  when  she 
saw  her  two  sons,  for  joy  she  wept  tenderly.  And  then 
she  said :  Ah,  my  dear  sons,  when  your  father  was  slain 
he  left  me  four  sons,  of  the  which  now  be  twain  slain. 
And  for  the  death  of  my  noble  son,  Sir  Lamorak,  shall  my 
heart  never  be  glad.  And  then  she  kneeled  down  upon 
her  knees  to-fore  Aglovale  and  Sir  Percivale,  and  besought 
them  to  abide  at  home  with  her.  Ah,  sweet  mother,  said 
Sir  Percivale,  we  may  not,  for  we  be  come  of  king's  blood 
of  both  parties,  and  therefore,  mother,  it  is  our  kind  to 
haunt  arms  and  noble  deeds.  Alas,  my  sweet  sons,  then 
she  said,  for  your  sakes  I  shall  lose  my  liking  and  lust,  and 
then  wind  and  weather  I  may  not  endure,  what  for  the 
death  of  your  father,  King  Pellinore,  that  was  shamefully 
slain  by  the  hands  of  Sir  Gawaine,  and  his  brother,  Sir 

VOL.  II  O 


194  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 

Gaheris :  and  they  slew  him  not  manly  but  by  treason. 
Ah,  my  dear  sons,  this  is  a  piteous  complaint  for  me  of 
your  father's  death,  considering  also  the  death  of  Sir 
Lamorak,  that  of  knighthood  had  but  few  fellows.  Now, 
my  dear  sons,  have  this  in  your  mind.  Then  there  was  but 
weeping  and  sobbing  in  the  court  when  they  should  depart, 
and  she  fell  a-swooning  in  midst  of  the  court. 


CHAPTER    XI 

How  a  servant  of  Sir  Aglovales  'was  slain,  and  what  venge- 
ance Sir  Aglovale  and  Sir  Percivale  did  therefore. 

AND  when  she  was  awaked  she  sent  a  squire  after  them 
with  spending  enough.  And  so  when  the  squire  had  over- 
taken them,  they  would  not  suffer  him  to  ride  with  them, 
but  sent  him  home  again  to  comfort  their  mother,  pray- 
ing her  meekly  of  her  blessing.  And  so  this  squire  was 
benighted,  and  by  misfortune  he  happened  to  come  to  a 
castle  where  dwelled  a  baron.  And  so  when  the  squire 
was  come  into  the  castle,  the  lord  asked  him  from  whence 
he  came,  and  whom  he  served.  My  lord,  said  the  squire, 
I  serve  a  good  knight  that  is  called  Sir  Aglovale :  the 
squire  said  it  to  good  intent,  weening  unto  him  to  have 
been  more  forborne  for  Sir  Aglovale' s  sake,  than  he  had 
said  he  had  served  the  queen,  Aglovale's  mother.  Well, 
my  fellow,  said  the  lord  of  that  castle,  for  Sir  Aglovale's 
sake  thou  shalt  have  evil  lodging,  for  Sir  Aglovale  slew  my 
brother,  and  therefore  thou  shalt  die  on  part  of  payment. 
And  then  that  lord  commanded  his  men  to  have  him  away 
and  slay  him ;  and  so  they  did,  and  so  pulled  him  out  of 
the  castle,  and  there  they  slew  him  without  mercy. 

Right  so  on  the  morn  came  Sir  Aglovale  and  Sir  Perci- 
vale  riding  by  a  churchyard,  where  men  and  women  were 
busy,  and  beheld  the  dead  squire,  and  they  thought  to  bury 
him.  What  is  there,  said  Sir  Aglovale,  that  ye  behold  so 
fast  ?  A  good  man  stert  forth  and  said  :  Fair  knight,  here 


CHAP,  xi     OF  AGLOVALE  AND  PERCIVALE  195 

lieth  a  squire  slain  shamefully  this  night.  How  was  he 
slain,  fair  fellow?  said  Sir  Aglovale.  My  fair  sir,  said  the 
man,  the  lord  of  this  castle  lodged  this  squire  this  night ; 
and  because  he  said  he  was  servant  unto  a  good  knight 
that  is  with  King  Arthur,  his  name  is  Sir  Aglovale,  there- 
fore the  lord  commanded  to  slay  him,  and  for  this  cause  is 
he  slain.  Gramercy,  said  Sir  Aglovale,  and  ye  shall  see 
his  death  revenged  lightly ;  for  I  am  that  same  knight  for 
whom  this  squire  was  slain. 

Then  Sir  Aglovale  called  unto  him  Sir  Percivale,  and 
bade  him  alight  lightly;  and  so  they  alighted  both,  and 
betook  their  horses  to  their  men,  and  so  they  yede  on  foot 
into  the  castle.  And  all  so  soon  as  they  were  within  the 
castle  gate  Sir  Aglovale  bade  the  porter  :  Go  thou  unto  thy 
lord  and  tell  him  that  I  am  Sir  Aglovale  for  whom  this 
squire  was  slain  this  night.  Anon  the  porter  told  this  to 
his  lord,  whose  name  was  Goodewin.  Anon  he  armed  him, 
and  then  he  came  into  the  court  and  said :  Which  of  you 
is  Sir  Aglovale  ?  Here  I  am,  said  Aglovale :  for  what 
cause  slewest  thou  this  night  my  mother's  squire  ?  I  slew 
him,  said  Sir  Goodewin,  because  of  thee,  for  thou  slewest 
my  brother,  Sir  Gawdelin.  As  for  thy  brother,  said  Sir 
Aglovale,  I  avow  it  I  slew  him,  for  he  was  a  false  knight 
and  a  betrayer  of  ladies  and  of  good  knights ;  and  for  the 
death  of  my  squire  thou  shalt  die.  I  defy  thee,  said  Sir 
Goodewin.  Then  they  lashed  together  as  eagerly  as  it 
had  been  two  lions,  and  Sir  Percivale  he  fought  with  all  the 
remnant  that  would  fight.  And  within  a  while  Sir  Percivale 
had  slain  all  that  would  withstand  him  ;  for  Sir  Percivale 
dealt  so  his  strokes  that  were  so  rude  that  there  durst 
no  man  abide  him.  And  within  a  while  Sir  Aglovale  had 
Sir  Goodewin  at  the  earth,  and  there  he  unlaced  his  helm, 
and  struck  off  his  head.  And  then  they  departed  and  took 
their  horses ;  and  then  they  let  carry  the  dead  squire  unto 
a  priory,  and  there  they  interred  him. 


196  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 


CHAPTER   XII 

How  Sir  Percivale  departed  secretly  from  his  brother,  and 
how  he  loosed  a  knight  bound  with  a  chain,  and  of 
other  doings. 

AND  when  this  was  done  they  rode  into  many  countries, 
ever  inquiring  after  Sir  Launcelot,  but  never  they  could 
hear  of  him ;  and  at  the  last  they  came  to  a  castle  that 
hight  Cardican,  and  there  Sir  Percivale  and  Sir  Aglovale 
were  lodged  together.  And  privily  about  midnight  Sir 
Percivale  came  to  Aglovale's  squire  and  said :  Arise  and 
make  thee  ready,  for  ye  and  I  will  ride  away  secretly. 
Sir,  said  the  squire,  I  would  full  fain  ride  with  you  where 
ye  would  have  me,  but  an  my  lord,  your  brother,  take  me 
he  will  slay  me.  As  for  that  care  thou  not,  for  I  shall  be 
thy  warrant. 

And  so  Sir  Percivale  rode  till  it  was  after  noon,  and  then 
he  came  upon  a  bridge  of  stone,  and  there  he  found  a 
knight  that  was  bound  with  a  chain  fast  about  the  waist 
unto  a  pillar  of  stone.  O  fair  knight,  said  that  bound 
knight,  I  require  thee  loose  me  of  my  bonds  What 
knight  are  ye,  said  Sir  Percivale,  and  for  what  cause  are 
ye  so  bound  ?  Sir,  I  shall  tell  you,  said  that  knight : 
I  am  a  knight  of  the  Table  Round,  and  my  name  is  Sir 
Persides  ;  and  thus  by  adventure  I  came  this  way,  and 
here  I  lodged  in  this  castle  at  the  bridge  foot,  and  therein 
dwelleth  an  uncourteous  lady  ;  and  because  she  proffered 
me  to  be  her  paramour,  and  I  refused  her,  she  set  her  men 
upon  me  suddenly  or  ever  I  might  come  to  my  weapon  ; 
and  thus  they  bound  me,  and  here  I  wot  well  I  shall  die  but 
if  some  man  of  worship  break  my  bands.  Be  ye  of  good 
cheer,  said  Sir  Percivale,  and  because  ye  are  a  knight  of  the 
Round  Table  as  well  as  I,  I  trust  to  God  to  break  your 
bands.  And  therewith  Sir  Percivale  pulled  out  his  sword 
and  struck  at  the  chain  with  such  a  might  that  he  cut  a- 
two  the  chain,  and  through  Sir  Persides'  hauberk  and  hurt 


CH.  xii     OF  PERCIVALE  AND  SIR  PERSIDES          197 

him  a  little.  O  Jesu,  said  Sir  Persides,  that  was  a  mighty 
stroke  as  ever  I  felt  one,  for  had  not  the  chain  been  ye 
had  slain  me. 

And  therewithal  Sir  Persides  saw  a  knight  coming  out 
of  a  castle  all  that  ever  he  might  fling.  Beware,  sir,  said 
Sir  Persides,  yonder  cometh  a  man  that  will  have  ado  with 
you.  Let  him  come,  said  Sir  Percivale.  And  so  he  met 
with  that  knight  in  midst  of  the  bridge  ;  and  Sir  Percivale 
gave  him  such  a  buffet  that  he  smote  him  quite  from  his 
horse  and  over  a  part  of  the  bridge,  that,  had  not  been 
a  little  vessel  under  the  bridge,  that  knight  had  been 
drowned.  And  then  Sir  Percivale  took  the  knight's  horse 
and  made  Sir  Persides  to  mount  up  him  ;  and  so  they  rode 
unto  the  castle,  and  bade  the  lady  deliver  Sir  Persides' 
servants,  or  else  he  would  slay  all  that  ever  he  found  ; 
and  so  for  fear  she  delivered  them  all.  Then  was  Sir 
Percivale  ware  of  a  lady  that  stood  in  that  tower.  Ah, 
madam,  said  Sir  Percivale,  what  use  and  custom  is  that  in 
a  lady  to  destroy  good  knights  but  if  they  will  be  your 
paramour  ?  Forsooth  this  is  a  shameful  custom  of  a  lady, 
and  if  I  had  not  a  great  matter  in  my  hand  I  should  fordo 
your  evil  customs. 

And  so  Sir  Pe?sides  brought  Sir  Percivale  unto  his  own 
castle,  and  there  he  made  him  great  cheer  all  that  night. 
And  on  the  morn,  when  Sir  Percivale  had  heard  mass  and 
broken  his  fast,  he  bade  Sir  Persides  ride  unto  King 
Arthur  :  And  tell  the  king  how  that  ye  met  with  me  ;  and 
tell  my  brother,  Sir  Aglovale,  how  I  rescued  you  ;  and 
bid  him  seek  not  after  me,  for  I  am  in  the  quest  to  seek 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and  though  he  seek  me  he  shall 
not  find  me  ;  and  tell  him  I  will  never  see  him,  nor  the 
court,  till  I  have  found  Sir  Launcelot.  Also  tell  Sir  Kay 
the  Seneschal,  and  to  Sir  Mordred,  that  I  trust  to  Jesu  to 
be  of  as  great  worthiness  as  either  of  them,  for  tell  them 
I  shall  never  forget  their  mocks  and  scorns  that  they  did 
to  me  that  day  that  I  was  made  knight ;  and  tell  them  I 
will  never  see  that  court  till  men  speak  more  worship  of 
me  than  ever  men  did  of  any  of  them  both.  And  so  Sir 
Persides  departed  from  Sir  Percivale,  and  then  he  rode 


198  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 

unto  King  Arthur,  and  told  there  of  Sir  Percivale.  And 
when  Sir  Aglovale  heard  him  speak  of  his  brother  Sir 
Percivale,  he  said  :  He  departed  from  me  unkindly. 


CHAPTER   XIII 

How  Sir  Percivale  met  with  Sir  Ector,  and  how  they  fought 
long,  and  each  had  almost  slain  other. 

SIR,  said  Sir  Persides,  on  my  life  he  shall  prove  a  noble 
knight  as  any  now  is  living.  And  when  he  saw  Sir  Kay 
and  Sir  Mordred,  Sir  Persides  said  thus  :  My  fair  lords 
both,  Sir  Percivale  greeteth  you  well  both,  and  he  sent  you 
word  by  me  that  he  trusteth  to  God  or  ever  he  come  to 
the  court  again  to  be  of  as  great  noblesse  as  ever  were  ye 
both,  and  mo  men  to  speak  of  his  noblesse  than  ever 
they  did  of  you.  It  may  well  be,  said  Sir  Kay  and  Sir 
Mordred,  but  at  that  time  when  he  was  made  knight  he 
was  full  unlike  to  prove  a  good  knight.  As  for  that,  said 
King  Arthur,  he  must  needs  prove  a  good  knight,  for  his 
father  and  his  brethren  were  noble  knights. 

And  now  will  we  turn  unto  Sir  Percivale  that  rode 
long ;  and  in  a  forest  he  met  a  knight  with  a  broken 
shield  and  a  broken  helm  ;  and  as  soon  as  either  saw  other 
readily  they  made  them  ready  to  joust,  and  so  hurtled  to- 
gether with  all  the  might  of  their  horses,  and  met  together 
so  hard,  that  Sir  Percivale  was  smitten  to  the  earth.  And 
then  Sir  Percivale  arose  lightly,  and  cast  his  shield  on  his 
shoulder  and  drew  his  sword,  and  bade  the  other  knight  . 
Alight,  and  do  we  battle  unto  the  uttermost.  Will  ye 
more  ?  said  that  knight.  And  therewith  he  alighted,  and 
put  his  horse  from  him  ;  and  then  they  came  together  an 
easy  pace,  and  there  they  lashed  together  with  noble 
swords,  and  sometime  they  struck  and  sometime  they 
foined,  and  either  gave  other  many  great  wounds.  Thus 
they  fought  near  half  a  day,  and  never  rested  but  right 
little,  and  there  was  none  of  them  both  that  had  less  wounds 


CHAP,  xiv    OF  PERCIVALE  AND  SIR  ECTOR          199 

than  fifteen,  and  they  bled  so  much  that  it  was  marvel 
they  stood  on  their  feet.  But  this  knight  that  fought 
with  Sir  Percivale  was  a  proved  knight  and  a  wise-fighting 
knight,  and  Sir  Percivale  was  young  and  strong,  not 
knowing  in  fighting  as  the  other  was. 

Then  Sir  Percivale  spoke  first,  and  said  :  Sir  knight, 
hold  thy  hand  a  while  still,  for  we  have  fought  for  a 
simple  matter  and  quarrel  overlong,  and  therefore  I  require 
thee  tell  me  thy  name,  for  I  was  never  or  this  time  matched. 
So  God  me  help,  said  that  knight,  and  never  or  this  time 
was  there  never  knight  that  wounded  me  so  sore  as  thou 
hast  done,  and  yet  have  I  fought  in  many  battles  ;  and  now 
shalt  thou  wit  that  I  am  a  knight  of  the  Table  Round,  and 
my  name  is  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  brother  unto  the  good 
knight,  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  Alas,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
and  my  name  is  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis  that  hath  made 
my  quest  to  seek  Sir  Launcelot,  and  now  I  am  siker 
that  I  shall  never  finish  my  quest,  for  ye  have  slain  me 
with  your  hands.  It  is  not  so,  said  Sir  Ector,  for  I  am 
slain  by  your  hands,  and  may  not  live.  Therefore  I  re- 
quire you,  said  Sir  Ector  unto  Sir  Percivale,  ride  ye  hereby 
to  a  priory,  and  bring  me  a  priest  that  I  may  receive  my 
Saviour,  for  I  may  not  live.  And  when  ye  come  to  the 
court  of  King  Arthur  tell  not  my  brother,  Sir  Launcelot, 
how  that  ye  slew  me,  for  then  he  would  be  your  mortal 
enemy,  but  ye  may  say  that  I  was  slain  in  my  quest  as  I 
sought  him.  Alas,  said  Sir  Percivale,  ye  say  that  never 
will  be,  for  I  am  so  faint  for  bleeding  that  I  may  unnethe 
stand,  how  should  I  then  take  my  horse  ? 


CHAPTER   XIV 

How  by  miracle  they  were  both  made  whole  by  the  coming 
of  the  holy  vessel  of  Sangreal. 

THEN  they  made  both  great  dole  out  of  measure.     This 
will  not  avail,  said  Sir  Percivale.     And  then  he  kneeled 


200  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xi 

down  and  made  his  prayer  devoutly  unto  Almighty  Jesu, 
for  he  was  one  of  the  best  knights  of  the  world  that  at 
that  time  was,  in  whom  the  very  faith  stood  most  in. 
Right  so  there  came  by  the  holy  vessel  of  the  Sangreal 
with  all  manner  of  sweetness  and  savour  ;  but  they  could 
not  readily  see  who  that  bare  that  vessel,  but  Sir  Percivale 
had  a  glimmering  of  the  vessel  and  of  the  maiden  that 
bare  it,  for  he  was  a  perfect  clean  maiden  ;  and  forthwithal 
they  both  were  as  whole  of  hide  and  limb  as  ever  they 
were  in  their  life-days  :  then  they  gave  thankings  to  God 
with  great  mildness.  O  Jesu,  said  Sir  Percivale,  what 
may  this  mean,  that  we  be  thus  healed,  and  right  now  we 
were  at  the  point  of  dying  ?  I  wot  full  well,  said  Sir  Ector, 
what  it  is  ;  it  is  an  holy  vessel  that  is  borne  by  a  maiden, 
and  therein  is  part  of  the  holy  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesu 
Christ,  blessed  mote  he  be.  But  it  may  not  be  seen,  said 
Sir  Ector,  but  if  it  be  by  a  perfect  man.  So  God  me 
help,  said  Sir  Percivale,  I  saw  a  damosel,  as  me  thought, 
all  in  white,  with  a  vessel  in  both  her  hands,  and  forthwithal 
I  was  whole. 

So  then  they  took  their  horses  and  their  harness,  and 
amended  their  harness  as  well  as  they  might  that  was 
broken  ;  and  so  they  mounted  upon  their  horses,  and  rode 
talking  together.  And  there  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  told  Sir 
Percivale  how  he  had  sought  his  brother,  Sir  Launcelot, 
long,  and  never  could  hear  witting  of  him  :  In  many 
strange  adventures  have  I  been  in  this  quest.  And  so 
either  told  other  of  their  adventures. 


entfetjj  tfje  elebentfj  feooft,    &nfo  jjm  follofoetfj 
tje  tfoelftfj  fcoofc* 


"  They  could  not  readily  see  who  bare  that  vessel,  but  Sir  Percivale  had  a  glimmering 
or  the  vessel  and  of  the  maiden  that  bare  it."- — Book  XI.,  Chapter  XIV. 


BOOK   XII 


CHAPTER   I 

How  Sir  Launcelot  in  his  madness  took  a  sword  and  fought 
with  a  knight^  and  leapt  in  a  bed. 

AND  now  leave  we  of  a  while  of  Sir  Ector  and  of  Sir 
Percivale,  and  speak  we  of  Sir  Launcelot  that  suffered  and 
endured  many  sharp  showers,  that  ever  ran  wild  wood 
from  place  to  place,  and  lived  by  fruit  and  such  as  he 
might  get,  and  drank  water  two  year  ;  and  other  clothing 
had  he  but  little  but  his  shirt  and  his  breech.  Thus  as 
Sir  Launcelot  wandered  here  and  there  he  came  in  a  fair 
meadow  where  he  found  a  pavilion  ;  and  there  by,  upon 
a  tree,  there  hung  a  white  shield,  and  two  swords  hung 
thereby,  and  two  spears  leaned  there  by  a  tree.  And 
when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  the  swords,  anon  he  leapt  to  the 
one  sword,  and  took  it  in  his  hand,  and  drew  it  out.  And 
then  he  lashed  at  the  shield,  that  all  the  meadow  rang  of 
the  dints,  that  he  gave  such  a  noise  as  ten  knights  had 
foughten  together. 

Then  came  forth  a  dwarf,  and  leapt  unto  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  would  have  had  the  sword  out  of  his  hand.  And 
then  Sir  Launcelot  took  him  by  the  both  shoulders  and 
threw  him  to  the  ground  upon  his  neck,  that  he  had 
almost  broken  his  neck ;  and  therewithal  the  dwarf  cried 
help.  Then  came  forth  a  likely  knight,  and  well 
apparelled  in  scarlet  furred  with  minever.  And  anon  as 
he  saw  Sir  Launcelot  he  deemed  that  he  should  be  out  of 
his  wit.  And  then  he  said  with  fair  speech  :  Good  man, 


202  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xn 

lay  down  that  sword,  for  as  meseemeth  thou  hadst  more 
need  of  sleep  and  of  warm  clothes  than  to  wield  that 
sword.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  come  not  too 
nigh,  for  an  thou  do,  wit  thou  well  I  will  slay  thee. 

And  when  the  knight  of  the  pavilion  saw  that,  he 
stert  backward  within  the  pavilion.  And  then  the  dwarf 
armed  him  lightly  ;  and  so  the  knight  thought  by  force 
and  might  to  take  the  sword  from  Sir  Launcelot,  and  so 
he  came  stepping  out ;  and  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  him 
come  so  all  armed  with  his  sword  in  his  hand,  then  Sir 
Launcelot  flew  to  him  with  such  a  might,  and  hit  him 
upon  the  helm  such  a  buffet,  that  the  stroke  troubled  his 
brains,  and  therewith  the  sword  brake  in  three.  And  the 
knight  fell  to  the  earth  as  he  had  been  dead,  the  blood 
brasting  out  of  his  mouth,  the  nose,  and  the  ears.  And 
then  Sir  Launcelot  ran  into  the  pavilion,  and  rushed  even 
into  the  warm  bed  ;  and  there  was  a  lady  in  that  bed,  and 
she  gat  her  smock,  and  ran  out  of  the  pavilion.  And  when 
she  saw  her  lord  lie  at  the  ground  like  to  be  dead,  then 
she  cried  and  wept  as  she  had  been  mad.  Then  with  her 
noise  the  knight  awaked  out  of  his  swoon,  and  looked  up 
weakly  with  his  eyes  ;  and  then  he  asked  her,  where  was 
that  mad  man  that  had  given  him  such  a  buffet :  For 
such  a  buffet  had  I  never  of  man's  hand.  Sir,  said  the 
dwarf,  it  is  not  worship  to  hurt  him,  for  he  is  a  man  out 
of  his  wit ;  and  doubt  ye  not  he  hath  been  a  man  of  great 
worship,  and  for  some  heartly  sorrow  that  he  hath  taken, 
he  is  fallen  mad  ;  and  me  beseemeth,  said  the  dwarf,  he 
resembleth  much  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  for  him  I  saw  at  the 
great  tournament  beside  Lonazep.  Jesu  defend,  said 
that  knight,  that  ever  that  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot, 
should  be  in  such  a  plight ;  but  whatsomever  he  be,  said 
that  knight,  harm  will  I  none  do  him  :  and  this  knight's 
name  was  Bliant.  Then  he  said  unto  the  dwarf:  Go 
thou  fast  on  horseback,  unto  my  brother  Sir  Selivant,  that 
is  at  the  Castle  Blank,  and  tell  him  of  mine  adventure, 
and  bid  him  bring  with  him  an  horse  litter,  and  then  will 
we  bear  this  knight  unto  my  castle. 


CH.  ii  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  SIR  BLIANT    203 


CHAPTER   II 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  carried  in  an  horse  litter,  and  how 
Sir  Launcelot  rescued  Sir  Eliant^  his  host. 

So  the  dwarf  rode  fast,  and  he  came  again  and  brought 
Sir  Selivant  with  him,  and  six  men  with  an  horse  litter  ; 
and  so  they  took  up  the  feather  bed  with  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  so  carried  all  away  with  them  unto  the  Castle  Blank, 
and  he  never  awaked  till  he  was  within  the  castle.  And 
then  they  bound  his  hands  and  his  feet,  and  gave  him 
good  meats  and  good  drinks,  and  brought  him  again  to 
his  strength  and  his  fairness  ;  but  in  his  wit  they  could 
not  bring  him  again,  nor  to  know  himself.  Thus  was  Sir 
Launcelot  there  more  than  a  year  and  a  half,  honestly 
arrayed  and  fair  faren  withal. 

Then  upon  a  day  this  lord  of  that  castle,  Sir  Bliant, 
took  his  arms,  on  horseback,  with  a  spear,  to  seek 
adventures.  And  as  he  rode  in  a  forest  there  met  with 
him  two  knights  adventurous,  the  one  was  Breuse  Saunce 
Pite,  and  his  brother,  Sir  Bertelot ;  and  these  two  ran 
both  at  once  upon  Sir  Bliant,  and  brake  their  spears  upon 
his  body.  And  then  they  drew  out  swords  and  made 
great  battle,  and  fought  long  together.  But  at  the  last 
Sir  Bliant  was  sore  wounded,  and  felt  himself  faint  ;  and 
then  he  fled  on  horseback  toward  his  castle.  And  as  they 
came  hurling  under  the  castle  whereas  Sir  Launcelot  lay  in 
a  window,  [he]  saw  how  two  knights  laid  upon  Sir  Bliant 
with  their  swords.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  that, 
yet  as  wood  as  he  was  he  was  sorry  for  his  lord,  Sir  Bliant. 
And  then  Sir  Launcelot  brake  the  chains  from  his  legs 
and  off  his  arms,  and  in  the  breaking  he  hurt  his  hands 
sore  ;  and  so  Sir  Launcelot  ran  out  at  a  postern,  and 
there  he  met  with  the  two  knights  that  chased  Sir  Bliant ; 
and  there  he  pulled  down  Sir  Bertelot  with  his  bare  hands 
from  his  horse,  and  therewithal  he  wrothe  his  sword  out 
of  his  hand  ;  and  so  he  leapt  unto  Sir  Breuse,  and  gave 


204  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xn 

him  such  a  buffet  upon  the  head  that  he  tumbled  back- 
ward over  his  horse's  croup.  And  when  Sir  Bertelot  saw 
there  his  brother  have  such  a  fall,  he  gat  a  spear  in  his 
hand,  and  would  have  run  Sir  Launcelot  through  :  that 
saw  Sir  Bliant,  and  struck  off  the  hand  of  Sir  Bertelot. 
And  then  Sir  Breuse  and  Sir  Bertelot  gat  their  horses  and 
fled  away. 

When  Sir  Selivant  came  and  saw  what  Sir  Launcelot 
had  done  for  his  brother,  then  he  thanked  God,  and  so 
did  his  brother,  that  ever  they  did  him  any  good.  But 
when  Sir  Bliant  saw  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  hurt  with  the 
breaking  of  his  irons,  then  was  he  heavy  that  ever  he 
bound  him.  Bind  him  no  more,  said  Sir  Selivant,  for  he 
is  happy  and  gracious.  Then  they  made  great  joy  of  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  they  bound  him  no  more  ;  and  so  he 
abode  there  an  half  year  and  more.  And  on  the  morn 
early  Sir  Launcelot  was  ware  where  came  a  great  boar 
with  many  hounds  nigh  him.  But  the  boar  was  so  big 
there  might  no  hounds  tear  him ;  and  the  hunters  came 
after,  blowing  their  horns,  both  upon  horseback  and  some 
upon  foot ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  was  ware  where  one 
alighted  and  tied  his  horse  to  a  tree,  and  leaned  his  spear 
against  the  tree. 


CHAPTER  III 

How  Sir  Launcelot  fought  against  a  boar  and  slew  him,  and 
how  he  was  hurt,  and  brought  unto  an  hermitage. 

So  came  Sir  Launcelot  and  found  the  horse  bounden  till  a 
tree,  and  a  spear  leaning  against  a  tree,  and  a  sword  tied 
to  the  saddle  bow  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  leapt  into  the 
saddle  and  gat  that  spear  in  his  hand,  and  then  he  rode 
after  the  boar ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  was  ware  where 
the  boar  set  his  arse  to  a  tree  fast  by  an  hermitage. 
Then  Sir  Launcelot  ran  at  the  boar  with  his  spear,  and 
therewith  the  boar  turned  him  nimbly,  and  rove  out  the 
lungs  and  the  heart  of  the  horse,  so  that  Launcelot  fell  to 


CHAP,  in    OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT'S  MADNESS  205 

the  earth ;  and,  or  ever  Sir  Launcelot  might  get  from  the 
horse,  the  boar  rove  him  on  the  brawn  of  the  thigh  up  to 
the  hough  bone.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  was  wroth,  and 
up  he  gat  upon  his  feet,  and  drew  his  sword,  and  he  smote 
off  the  boar's  head  at  one  stroke.  And  therewithal  came 
out  the  hermit,  and  saw  him  have  such  a  wound.  Then 
the  hermit  came  to  Sir  Launcelot  and  bemoaned  him,  and 
would  have  had  him  home  unto  his  hermitage  ;  but  when 
Sir  Launcelot  heard  him  speak,  he  was  so  wroth  with  his 
wound  that  he  ran  upon  the  hermit  to  have  slain  him, 
and  the  hermit  ran  away.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  might 
not  overget  him,  he  threw  his  sword  after  him,  for  Sir 
Launcelot  might  go  no  further  for  bleeding  ;  then  the 
hermit  turned  again,  and  asked  Sir  Launcelot  how  he  was 
hurt.  Fellow,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  this  boar  hath  bitten 
me  sore.  Then  come  with  me,  said  the  hermit,  and  I 
shall  heal  you.  Go  thy  way,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  and  deal 
not  with  me. 

Then  the  hermit  ran  his  way,  and  there  he  met  with  a 
good  knight  with  many  men.  Sir,  said  the  hermit,  here 
is  fast  by  my  place  the  goodliest  man  that  ever  I  saw,  and 
he  is  sore  wounded  with  a  boar,  and  yet  he  hath  slain  the 
boar.  But  well  I  wot,  said  the  hermit,  and  he  be  not 
holpen,  that  goodly  man  shall  die  of  that  wound,  and  that 
were  great  pity.  Then  that  knight  at  the  desire  of  the 
hermit  gat  a  cart,  and  in  that  cart  that  knight  put  the  boar 
and  Sir  Launcelot,  for  Sir  Launcelot  was  so  feeble  that 
they  might  right  easily  deal  with  him  ;  and  so  Sir  Launce- 
lot was  brought  unto  the  hermitage,  and  there  the  hermit 
healed  him  of  his  wound.  But  the  hermit  might  not  find 
Sir  Launcelot's  sustenance,  and  so  he  impaired  and  waxed 
feeble,  both  of  his  body  and  of  his  wit :  for  the  default  of 
his  sustenance  he  waxed  more  wooder  than  he  was  afore- 
hand. 

And  then  upon  a  day  Sir  Launcelot  ran  his  way  into 
the  forest ;  and  by  adventure  he  came  to  the  city  of 
Corbin,  where  Dame  Elaine  was,  that  bare  Galahad,  Sir 
Launcelot's  son.  And  so  when  he  was  entered  into  the 
town  he  ran  through  the  town  to  the  castle  ;  and  then  all 


206  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xn 

the  young  men  of  that  city  ran  after  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
there  they  threw  turves  at  him,  and  gave  him  many  sad 
strokes.  And  ever  as  Sir  Launcelot  might  overreach  any 
of  them,  he  threw  them  so  that  they  would  never  come  in 
his  hands  no  more ;  for  of  some  he  brake  the  legs  and 
the  arms,  and  so  fled  into  the  castle  ;  and  then  came  out 
knights  and  squires  and  rescued  Sir  Launcelot.  And 
when  they  beheld  him  and  looked  upon  his  person,  they 
thought  they  saw  never  so  goodly  a  man.  And  when 
they  saw  so  many  wounds  upon  him,  all  they  deemed  that 
he  had  been  a  man  of  worship.  And  then  they  ordained 
him  clothes  to  his  body,  and  straw  underneath  him,  and  a 
little  house.  And  then  every  day  they  would  throw  him 
meat,  and  set  him  drink,  but  there  was  but  few  would 
bring  him  meat  to  his  hands. 


CHAPTER  IV 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  known  by  Dame  Elaine,  and  was 
borne  into  a  chamber  and  after  healed  by  the  Sangreal. 

So  it  befell  that  King  Pelles  had  a  nephew,  his  name  was 
Castor  ;  and  so  he  desired  of  the  king  to  be  made  knight, 
and  so  at  the  request  of  this  Castor  the  king  made  him 
knight  at  the  feast  of  Candlemas.  And  when  Sir  Castor 
was  made  knight,  that  same  day  he  gave  many  gowns. 
And  then  Sir  Castor  sent  for  the  fool  —  that  was  Sir 
Launcelot.  And  when  he  was  come  afore  Sir  Castor,  he 
gave  Sir  Launcelot  a  robe  of  scarlet  and  all  that  longed 
unto  him.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  so  arrayed  like 
a  knight,  he  was  the  seemliest  man  in  all  the  court,  and 
none  so  well  made.  So  when  he  saw  his  time  he  went 
into  the  garden,  and  there  Sir  Launcelot  laid  him  down 
by  a  well  and  slept.  And  so  at-after  noon  Dame  Elaine 
and  her  maidens  came  into  the  garden  to  play  them  ; 
and  as  they  roamed  up  and  down  one  of  Dame  Elaine's 
maidens  espied  where  lay  a  goodly  man  by  the  well 


CH.  iv    OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE      207 

sleeping,  and  anon  showed  him  to  Dame  Elaine.  Peace, 
said  Dame  Elaine,  and  say  no  word  :  and  then  she  brought 
Dame  Elaine  where  he  lay.  And  when  that  she  beheld 
him,  anon  she  fell  in  remembrance  of  him,  and  knew  him 
verily  for  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  therewithal  she  fell  a-weep- 
ing  so  heartily  that  she  sank  even  to  the  earth  ;  and  when 
she  had  thus  wept  a  great  while,  then  she  arose  and  called 
her  maidens  and  said  she  was  sick. 

And  so  she  yede  out  of  the  garden,  and  she  went 
straight  to  her  father,  and  there  she  took  him  apart  by 
herself ;  and  then  she  said  :  O  father,  now  have  I  need  of 
your  help,  and  but  if  that  ye  help  me  farewell  my  good 
days  for  ever.  What  is  that,  daughter  ?  said  King  Pelles. 
Sir,  she  said,  thus  is  it :  in  your  garden  I  went  for  to 
sport,  and  there,  by  the  well,  I  found  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake  sleeping.  I  may  not  believe  that,  said  King  Pelles. 
Sir,  she  said,  truly  he  is  there,  and  meseemeth  he  should 
be  distract  out  of  his  wit.  Then  hold  you  still,  said  the 
king,  and  let  me  deal.  Then  the  king  called  to  him  such 
as  he  most  trusted,  a  four  persons,  and  Dame  Elaine,  his 
daughter.  And  when  they  came  to  the  well  and  beheld 
Sir  Launcelot,  anon  Dame  Brisen  knew  him.  Sir,  said 
Dame  Brisen,  we  must  be  wise  how  we  deal  with  him,  for 
this  knight  is  out  of  his  mind,  and  if  we  awake  him  rudely 
what  he  will  do  we  all  know  not ;  but  ye  shall  abide,  and 
I  shall  throw  such  an  enchantment  upon  him  that  he  shall 
not  awake  within  the  space  of  an  hour  ;  and  so  she  did. 

Then  within  a  little  while  after,  the  king  commanded 
that  all  people  should  avoid,  that  none  should  be  in  that 
way  thereas  the  king  would  come.  And  so  when  this  was 
done,  these  four  men  and  these  ladies  laid  hand  on  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  so  they  bare  him  into  a  tower,  and  so  into 
a  chamber  where  was  the  holy  vessel  of  the  Sangreal,  and 
by  force  Sir  Launcelot  was  laid  by  that  holy  vessel ;  and 
there  came  an  holy  man  and  unhilled  that  vessel,  and  so 
by  miracle  and  by  virtue  of  that  holy  vessel  Sir  Launcelot 
was  healed  and  recovered.  And  when  that  he  was  awaked 
he  groaned  and  sighed,  and  complained  greatly  that  he 
was  passing  sore. 


208  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xu 


CHAPTER   V 

How  Sir  Launcelot,  after  that  he  was  whole  and  had  his 
mind,  he  was  ashamed^  and  how  that  Elaine  desired  a 
castle  for  him. 

AND  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  King  Pelles  and  Elaine,  he 
waxed  ashamed  and  said  thus  :  O  Lord  Jesu,  how  came  I 
here  ?  for  God's  sake,  my  lord,  let  me  wit  how  I  came 
here.  Sir,  said  Dame  Elaine,  into  this  country  ye  came 
like  a  madman,  clean  out  of  your  wit,  and  here  have  ye 
been  kept  as  a  fool ;  and  no  creature  here  knew  what  ye 
were,  until  by  fortune  a  maiden  of  mine  brought  me  unto 
you  whereas  ye  lay  sleeping  by  a  well,  and  anon  as  I 
verily  beheld  you  I  knew  you.  And  then  I  told  my 
father,  and  so  were  ye  brought  afore  this  holy  vessel,  and 
by  the  virtue  of  it  thus  were  ye  healed.  O  Jesu,  mercy, 
said  Sir  Launcelot ;  if  this  be  sooth,  how  many  there  be 
that  know  of  my  woodness !  So  God  me  help,  said 
Elaine,  no  more  but  my  father,  and  I,  and  Dame  Brisen. 
Now  for  Christ's  love,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  keep  it  in 
counsel,  and  let  no  man  know  it  in  the  world,  for  I  am 
sore  ashamed  that  I  have  been  thus  miscarried  ;  for  I  am 
banished  out  of  the  country  of  Logris  for  ever,  that  is  for 
to  say  the  country  of  England. 

And  so  Sir  Launcelot  lay  more  than  a  fortnight  or 
ever  that  he  might  stir  for  soreness.  And  then  upon  a 
day  he  said  unto  Dame  Elaine  these  words  :  Lady  Elaine, 
for  your  sake  I  have  had  much  travail,  care,  and  anguish, 
it  needeth  not  to  rehearse  it,  ye  know  how.  Notwith- 
standing I  know  well  I  have  done  foul  to  you  when  that 
I  drew  my  sword  to  you,  to  have  slain  you,  upon  the 
morn  when  I  had  lain  with  you.  And  all  was  the  cause, 
that  ye  and  Dame  Brisen  made  me  for  to  lie  by  you 
maugre  mine  head  ;  and  as  ye  say,  that  night  Galahad 
your  son  was  begotten.  That  is  truth,  said  Dame  Elaine. 
Now  will  ye  for  my  love,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  go  unto 


"'But  ye  shall  abide,  and  I  shall  throw  such  an  enchantment  upon  him  that  he  shall 
not  awake  within  the  space  of  an  hour'  ;  and  so  she  did." — Book  XII.,  Chapter  IV. 


CH.  vi    LAUNCELOT  COMES  TO  JOYOUS  ISLE    209 

your  father  and  get  me  a  place  of  him  wherein  I  may 
dwell  ?  for  in  the  court  of  King  Arthur  may  I  never 
come.  Sir,  said  Dame  Elaine,  I  will  live  and  die  with 
you,  and  only  for  your  sake  ;  and  if  my  life  might  not 
avail  you  and  my  death  might  avail  you,  wit  you  well  I 
would  die  for  your  sake.  And  I  will  go  to  my  father, 
and  I  am  sure  there  is  nothing  that  I  can  desire  of  him 
but  I  shall  have  it.  And  where  ye  be,  my  lord  Sir 
Launcelot,  doubt  ye  not  but  I  will  be  with  you  with  all 
the  service  that  I  may  do.  So  forthwithal  she  went  to 
her  father  and  said,  Sir,  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  desireth 
to  be  here  by  you  in  some  castle  of  yours.  Well  daughter, 
said  the  king,  sith  it  is  his  desire  to  abide  in  these  marches 
he  shall  be  in  the  Castle  of  Bliant,  and  there  shall  ye  be 
with  him,  and  twenty  of  the  fairest  ladies  that  be  in  the 
country,  and  they  shall  all  be  of  the  great  blood,  and  ye 
shall  have  ten  knights  with  you  ;  for,  daughter,  I  will  that 
ye  wit  we  all  be  honoured  by  the  blood  of  Sir  Launcelot. 


CHAPTER   VI 

How  Sir  Launcelot  came  into  the  Joyous  Isle,  and  there  he 
named  himself  Le  Chevaler  Mai  Fet. 

THEN  went  Dame  Elaine  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and  told 
him  all  how  her  father  had  devised  for  him  and  her. 
Then  came  the  knight  Sir  Castor,  that  was  nephew  unto 
King  Pelles,  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and  asked  him  what  was 
his  name.  Sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  my  name  is  Le  Chevaler 
Mai  Fet,  that  is  to  say  the  knight  that  hath  trespassed. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Castor,  it  may  well  be  so,  but  ever  meseemeth 
your  name  should  be  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  for  or  now 
I  have  seen  you.  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  ye  are  not  as  a 
gentle  knight :  I  put  case  my  name  were  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  that  it  list  me  not  to  discover  my  name,  what  should 
it  grieve  you  here  to  keep  my  counsel,  and  ye  be  not  hurt 
thereby  ?  but  wit  thou  well  an  ever  it  lie  in  my  power  I 

VOL.  II  P 


210  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xn 

shall  grieve  you,  and  that  I  promise  you  truly.  Then  Sir 
Castor  kneeled  down  and  besought  Sir  Launcelot  of 
mercy  :  For  I  shall  never  utter  what  ye  be,  while  that  ye 
be  in  these  parts.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  pardoned  him. 

And  then,  after  this,  King  Pelles  with  ten  knights,  and 
Dame  Elaine,  and  twenty  ladies,  rode  unto  the  Castle  of 
Bliant  that  stood  in  an  island  beclosed  in  iron,  with  a  fair 
water  deep  and  large.  And  when  they  were  there  Sir 
Launcelot  let  call  it  the  Joyous  Isle  ;  and  there  was  he 
called  none  otherwise  but  Le  Chevaler  Mai  Fet,  the 
knight  that  hath  trespassed.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  let 
make  him  a  shield  all  of  sable,  and  a  queen  crowned  in 
the  midst,  all  of  silver,  and  a  knight  clean  armed  kneeling 
afore  her.  And  every  day  once,  for  any  mirths  that  all 
the  ladies  might  make  him,  he  would  once  every  day 
look  toward  the  realm  of  Logris,  where  King  Arthur  and 
Queen  Guenever  was.  And  then  would  he  fall  upon  a 
weeping  as  his  heart  should  to-brast. 

So  it  fell  that  time  Sir  Launcelot  heard  of  a  jousting 
fast  by  his  castle,  within  three  leagues.  Then  he  called 
unto  him  a  dwarf,  and  he  bade  him  go  unto  that  jousting  : 
And  or  ever  the  knights  depart,  look  thou  make  there  a 
cry,  in  hearing  of  all  the  knights,  that  there  is  one  knight 
in  the  Joyous  Isle,  that  is  the  Castle  of  Bliant,  and  say 
his  name  is  Le  Chevaler  Mai  Fet,  that  will  joust  against 
knights  that  will  come.  And  who  that  putteth  that  knight 
to  the  worse  shall  have  a  fair  maid  and  a  gerfalcon. 


CHAPTER   VII 

Of  a  great  tourneying  in  the  Joyous  Isle,  and  how  Sir 
Percivale  and  Sir  Ector  came  thither ;  and  Sir  Perci- 
vale  fought  with  him. 

So  when  this  cry  was  made,  unto  Joyous  Isle  drew 
knights  to  the  number  of  five  hundred ;  and  wit  ye 
well  there  was  never  seen  in  Arthur's  days  one  knight 


CH.VII   OF  SIR  PERCIVALE  AND  SIR  ECTOR        211 

that  did  so  much  deeds  of  arms  as  Sir  Launcelot  did 
three  days  together  ;  for  as  the  book  maketh  truly 
mention,  he  had  the  better  of  all  the  five  hundred 
knights,  and  there  was  not  one  slain  of  them.  And 
after  that  Sir  Launcelot  made  them  all  a  great  feast. 

And  in  the  meanwhile  came  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis 
and  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  under  that  castle  that  was 
called  the  Joyous  Isle.  And  as  they  beheld  that  gay 
castle  they  would  have  gone  to  that  castle,  but  they 
might  not  for  the  broad  water,  and  bridge  could  they 
find  none.  Then  they  saw  on  the  other  side  a  lady 
with  a  sperhawk  on  her  hand,  and  Sir  Percivale  called 
unto  her,  and  asked  that  lady  who  was  in  that  castle. 
Fair  knights,  she  said,  here  within  this  castle  is  the 
fairest  lady  in  this  land,  and  her  name  is  Elaine.  Also 
we  have  in  this  castle  the  fairest  knight  and  the  mightiest 
man  that  is  I  dare  say  living,  and  he  called  himself  Le 
Chevaler  Mai  Fet.  How  came  he  into  these  marches? 
said  Sir  Percivale.  Truly,  said  the  damosel,  he  came 
into  this  country  like  a  mad  man,  with  dogs  and  boys 
chasing  him  through  the  city  of  Corbin,  and  by  the 
holy  vessel  of  the  Sangreal  he  was  brought  into  his 
wit  again  ;  but  he  will  not  do  battle  with  no  knight, 
but  by  underne  or  by  noon.  And  if  ye  list  to  come 
into  the  castle,  said  the  lady,  ye  must  ride  unto  the 
further  side  of  the  castle  and  there  shall  ye  find  a  vessel 
that  will  bear  you  and  your  horse.  Then  they  departed, 
and  came  unto  the  vessel.  And  then  Sir  Percivale 
alighted,  and  said  to  Sir  Ector  de  Maris :  Ye  shall 
abide  me  here  until  that  I  wit  what  manner  a  knight 
he  is  ;  for  it  were  shame  unto  us,  inasmuch  as  he  is 
but  one  knight,  an  we  should  both  do  battle  with 
him.  Do  ye  as  ye  list,  said  Sir  Ector,  and  here  I 
shall  abide  you  until  that  I  hear  of  you. 

Then  passed  Sir  Percivale  the  water,  and  when  he 
came  to  the  castle  gate  he  bade  the  porter  :  Go  thou 
to  the  good  knight  within  the  castle,  and  tell  him  here 
is  come  an  errant  knight  to  joust  with  him.  Sir,  said 
the  porter,  ride  ye  within  the  castle,  and  there  is  a 


212  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  xn 

common  place  for  jousting,  that  lords  and  ladies  may 
behold  you.  So  anon  as  Sir  Launcelot  had  warning  he 
was  soon  ready ;  and  there  Sir  Percivale  and  Sir 
Launcelot  encountered  with  such  a  might,  and  their 
spears  were  so  rude,  that  both  the  horses  and  the  knights 
fell  to  the  earth.  Then  they  avoided  their  horses, 
and  flang  out  noble  swords,  and  hewed  away  cantels 
of  their  shields,  and  hurtled  together  with  their  shields 
like  two  boars,  and  either  wounded  other  passing  sore. 
At  the  last  Sir  Percivale  spake  first  when  they  had 
foughten  there  more  than  two  hours.  Fair  knight,  said 
Sir  Percivale,  I  require  thee  tell  me  thy  name,  for  I 
met  never  with  such  a  knight.  Sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
my  name  is  Le  Chevaler  Mai  Fet.  Now  tell  me  your 
name,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  require  you,  gentle  knight. 
Truly,  said  Sir  Percivale,  my  name  is  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis, 
that  was  brother  unto  the  good  knight,  Sir  Lamorak 
de  Galis,  and  King  Pellinore  was  our  father,  and  Sir 
Aglovale  is  my  brother.  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
what  have  I  done  to  fight  with  you  that  art  a  knight 
of  the  Round  Table,  that  sometime  was  your  fellow  ? 


CHAPTER  VIII 

How  each  of  them  knew  other,  and  of  their  great  courtesy, 
and  how  his  brother  Sir  Ector  came  unto  him,  and  of 
their  joy. 

AND  therewithal  Sir  Launcelot  kneeled  down  upon  his 
knees,  and  threw  away  his  shield  and  his  sword  from 
him.  When  Sir  Percivale  saw  him  do  so  he  marvelled 
what  he  meant.  And  then  thus  he  said  :  Sir  knight, 
whatsomever  thou  be,  I  require  thee  upon  the  high 
order  of  knighthood,  tell  me  thy  true  name.  Then  he 
said  :  So  God  me  help,  my  name  is  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake,  King  Ban's  son  of  Benoy.  Alas,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
what  have  I  done  ?  I  was  sent  by  the  queen  for  to 


CHAP,  ix      OF  SIR  BORS  AND  SIR  LIONEL  213 

seek  you,  and  so  I  have  sought  you  nigh  this  two 
year,  and  yonder  is  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  your  brother, 
abideth  me  on  the  other  side  of  the  yonder  water.  Now, 
for  God's  sake,  said  Sir  Percivale,  forgive  me  mine  offences 
that  I  have  here  done.  It  is  soon  forgiven,  said  Sir 
Launcelot. 

Then  Sir  Percivale  sent  for  Sir  Ector  de  Maris ; 
and  when  Sir  Launcelot  had  a  sight  of  him,  he  ran 
unto  him  and  took  him  in  his  arms  ;  and  then  Sir 
Ector  kneeled  down,  and  either  wept  upon  other,  that 
all  had  pity  to  behold  them.  Then  came  Dame  Elaine, 
and  she  there  made  them  great  cheer  as  might  lie  in 
her  power ;  and  there  she  told  Sir  Ector  and  Sir 
Percivale  how  and  in  what  manner  Sir  Launcelot  came 
into  that  country,  and  how  he  was  healed  ;  and  there 
it  was  known  how  long  Sir  Launcelot  was  with  Sir 
Bliant  and  with  Sir  Selivant,  and  how  he  first  met  with 
them,  and  how  he  departed  from  them  because  of  a 
boar  ;  and  how  the  hermit  healed  Sir  Launcelot  of  his 
great  wound,  and  how  that  he  came  to  Corbin. 


CHAPTER  IX 

How  Sir  Bars  and  Sir  Lionel  came  to  King  Erandegore^ 
and  how  Sir  Bars  took  his  son  Helin  le  Blank,  and  of 
Sir  Launcelot. 

Now  leave  we  Sir  Launcelot  in  the  Joyous  Isle  with 
the  Lady  Dame  Elaine,  and  Sir  Percivale  and  Sir  Ector 
playing  with  them,  and  turn  we  to  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis 
and  Sir  Lionel,  that  had  sought  Sir  Launcelot  nigh 
by  the  space  of  two  year,  and  never  could  they  hear 
of  him.  And  as  they  thus  rode,  by  adventure  they 
came  to  the  house  of  Brandegore,  and  there  Sir  Bors 
was  well  known,  for  he  had  gotten  a  child  upon  the 
king's  daughter  fifteen  year  to-fore,  and  his  name  was 
Helin  le  Blank.  And  when  Sir  Bors  saw  that  child  it 


214  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xn 

liked  him  passing  well.  And  so  those  knights  had 
good  cheer  of  the  King  Brandegore.  And  on  the 
morn  Sir  Bors  came  afore  King  Brandegore  and  said  : 
Here  is  my  son  Helin  le  Blank,  that  as  it  is  said  he 
is  my  son  ;  and  sith  it  is  so,  I  will  that  ye  wit  that  I 
will  have  him  with  me  unto  the  court  of  King  Arthur. 
Sir,  said  the  king,  ye  may  well  take  him  with  you, 
but  he  is  over  tender  of  age.  As  for  that,  said  Sir 
Bors,  I  will  have  him  with  me,  and  bring  him  to  the 
house  of  most  worship  of  the  world.  So  when  Sir 
Bors  should  depart  there  was  made  great  sorrow  for 
the  departing  of  Helin  le  Blank,  and  great  weeping  was 
there  made.  But  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Lionel  departed, 
and  within  a  while  they  came  to  Camelot,  where  was 
King  Arthur.  And  when  King  Arthur  understood 
that  Helin  le  Blank  was  Sir  Bors'  son,  and  nephew 
unto  King  Brandegore,  then  King  Arthur  let  him  make 
knight  of  the  Round  Table;  and  so  he  proved  a  good 
knight  and  an  adventurous. 

Now  will  we  turn  to  our  matter  of  Sir  Launcelot. 
It  befell  upon  a  day  Sir  Ector  and  Sir  Percivale  came 
to  Sir  Launcelot  and  asked  him  what  he  would  do, 
and  whether  he  would  go  with  them  unto  King  Arthur 
or  not.  Nay,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  may  not  be  by  no 
mean,  for  I  was  so  entreated  at  the  court  that  I  cast 
me  never  to  come  there  more.  Sir,  said  Sir  Ector, 
I  am  your  brother,  and  ye  are  the  man  in  the  world 
that  I  love  most ;  and  if  I  understood  that  it  were 
your  disworship,  ye  may  understand  I  would  never 
counsel  you  thereto ;  but  King  Arthur  and  all  his 
knights,  and  in  especial  Queen  Guenever,  made  such 
dole  and  sorrow  that  it  was  marvel  to  hear  and  see. 
And  ye  must  remember  the  great  worship  and  renown 
that  ye  be  of,  how  that  ye  have  been  more  spoken  of 
than  any  other  knight  that  is  now  living  ;  for  there  is 
none  that  beareth  the  name  now  but  ye  and  Sir  Tristram. 
Therefore  brother,  said  Sir  Ector,  make  you  ready  to 
ride  to  the  court  with  us,  and  I  dare  say  there  was  never 
knight  better  welcome  to  the  court  than  ye  ;  and  I  wot 


CH.X    LAUNCELOT  COMES  TO  THE  COURT     215 

well  and  can  make  it  good,  said  Sir  Ector,  it  hath  cost 
my  lady,  the  queen,  twenty  thousand  pound  the  seeking 
of  you.  Well  brother,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  will  do 
after  your  counsel,  and  ride  with  you. 

So  then  they  took  their  horses  and  made  them 
ready,  and  took  their  leave  at  King  Pelles  and  at  Dame 
Elaine.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  should  depart  Dame 
Elaine  made  great  sorrow.  My  lord,  Sir  Launcelot, 
said  Dame  Elaine,  at  this  same  feast  of  Pentecost  shall 
your  son  and  mine,  Galahad,  be  made  knight,  for  he  is 
fully  now  fifteen  winter  old.  Do  as  ye  list,  said  Sir 
Launcelot ;  God  give  him  grace  to  prove  a  good  knight. 
As  for  that,  said  Dame  Elaine,  I  doubt  not  he  shall 
prove  the  best  man  of  his  kin  except  one.  Then  shall  he 
be  a  man  good  enough,  said  Sir  Launcelot. 


CHAPTER  X 

How  Sir  Launcelot  with  Sir  Percivale  and  Sir  Ector  came 
to  the  court,  and  of  the  great  joy  of  him. 

THEN  they  departed,  and  within  five  days'  journey  they 
came  to  Camelot,  that  is  called  in  English,  Winchester. 
And  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  come  among  them,  the  king 
and  all  the  knights  made  great  joy  of  him.  And  there 
Sir  Percivale  de  Galis  and  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  began  and 
told  the  whole  adventures  :  that  Sir  Launcelot  had  been 
out  of  his  mind  the  time  of  his  absence,  and  how  he  called 
himself  Le  Chevaler  Mai  Fet,  the  knight  that  had  tres- 
passed ;  and  in  three  days  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down  five 
hundred  knights.  And  ever  as  Sir  Ector  and  Sir  Percivale 
told  these  tales  of  Sir  Launcelot,  Queen  Guenever  wept  as 
she  should  have  died.  Then  the  queen  made  great  cheer. 
O  Jesu,  said  King  Arthur,  I  marvel  for  what  cause  ye,  Sir 
Launcelot,  went  out  of  your  mind.  I  and  many  others 
deem  it  was  for  the  love  of  fair  Elaine,  the  daughter  of 
King  Pelles,  by  whom  ye  are  noised  that  ye  have  gotten  a 


216  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  XH 

child,  and  his  name  is  Galahad,  and  men  say  he  shall  do 
marvels.  My  lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  if  I  did  any  folly 
I  have  that  I  sought.  And  therewithal  the  king  spake  no 
more.  But  all  Sir  Launcelot's  kin  knew  for  whom  he 
went  out  of  his  mind.  And  then  there  were  great  feasts 
made  and  great  joy  ;  and  many  great  lords  and  ladies, 
when  they  heard  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  come  to  the  court 
again,  they  made  great  joy. 


CHAPTER   XI 

How  La  Beak  Isoud  counselled  Sir  Tristram  to  go  unto  the 
court,  to  the  great  feast  of  Pentecost. 

Now  will  we  leave  off  this  matter,  and  speak  we  of  Sir 
Tristram,  and  of  Sir  Palomides  that  was  the  Saracen 
unchristened.  When  Sir  Tristram  was  come  home  unto 
Joyous  Card  from  his  adventures,  all  this  while  that  Sir 
Launcelot  was  thus  missed,  two  year  and  more,  Sir 
Tristram  bare  the  renown  through  all  the  realm  of  Logris, 
and  many  strange  adventures  befell  him,  and  full  well  and 
manly  and  worshipfully  he  brought  them  to  an  end.  So 
when  he  was  come  home  La  Beale  Isoud  told  him  of  the 
great  feast  that  should  be  at  Pentecost  next  following,  and 
there  she  told  him  how  Sir  Launcelot  had  been  missed  two 
year,  and  all  that  while  he  had  been  out  of  his  mind,  and 
how  he  was  holpen  by  the  holy  vessel,  the  Sangreal.  Alas, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  that  caused  some  debate  betwixt  him 
and  Queen  Guenever.  Sir,  said  Dame  Isoud,  I  know  it 
all,  for  Queen  Guenever  sent  me  a  letter  in  the  which  she 
wrote  me  all  how  it  was,  for  to  require  you  to  seek  him. 
And  now,  blessed  be  God,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  he  is  whole 
and  sound  and  come  again  to  the  court. 

Thereof  am  I  glad,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and  now  shall 
ye  and  I  make  us  ready,  for  both  ye  and  I  will  be  at  the 
feast.  Sir,  said  Isoud,  an  it  please  you  I  will  not  be  there, 
for  through  me  ye  be  marked  of  many  good  knights,  and 


CHAP,  xii    OF  TRISTRAM  AND  PALOMIDES  217 

that  caused  you  to  have  much  more  labour  for  my  sake 
than  needeth  you.  Then  will  I  not  be  there,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  but  if  ye  be  there.  God  defend,  said  La  Beale 
Isoud,  for  then  shall  I  be  spoken  of  shame  among  all 
queens  and  ladies  of  estate  ;  for  ye  that  are  called  one  of 
the  noblest  knights  of  the  world,  and  ye  a  knight  of  the 
Round  Table,  how  may  ye  be  missed  at  that  feast  ?  What 
shall  be  said  among  all  knights  ?  See  how  Sir  Tristram 
hunteth,  and  hawketh,  and  cowereth  within  a  castle  with 
his  lady,  and  forsaketh  your  worship.  Alas,  shall  some 
say,  it  is  pity  that  ever  he  was  made  knight,  or  that  ever 
he  should  have  the  love  of  a  lady.  Also  what  shall  queens 
and  ladies  say  of  me  ?  It  is  pity  that  I  have  my  life,  that 
I  will  hold  so  noble  a  knight  as  ye  are  from  his  worship. 
So  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto  La  Beale  Isoud, 
it  is  passing  well  said  of  you  and  nobly  counselled  ;  and 
now  I  well  understand  that  ye  love  me  ;  and  like  as  ye 
have  counselled  me  I  will  do  a  part  thereafter.  But  there 
shall  no  man  nor  child  ride  with  me,  but  myself.  And  so 
will  I  ride  on  Tuesday  next  coming,  and  no  more  harness 
of  war  but  my  spear  and  my  sword. 


CHAPTER  XII 

How  Sir  Tristram  departed  unarmed  and  met  with  Sir 
Palomides^  and  how  they  smote  each  other ,  and  how  Sir 
Palomides  for  bare  him. 

AND  so  when  the  day  came  Sir  Tristram  took  his  leave  at 
La  Beale  Isoud,  and  she  sent  with  him  four  knights,  and 
within  half  a  mile  he  sent  them  again  :  and  within  a  mile 
after  Sir  Tristram  saw  afore  him  where  Sir  Palomides  had 
stricken  down  a  knight,  and  almost  wounded  him  to  the 
death.  Then  Sir  Tristram  repented  him  that  he  was  not 
armed,  and  then  he  hoved  still.  With  that  Sir  Palomides 
knew  Sir  Tristram,  and  cried  on  high  :  Sir  Tristram,  now 
be  we  met,  for  or  we  depart  we  will  redress  our  old  sores. 


2i 8  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  xn 

As  for  that,  said  Sir  Tristram,  there  was  yet  never 
Christian  man  might  make  his  boast  that  ever  I  fled  from 
him  ;  and  wit  ye  well,  Sir  Palomides,  thou  that  art  a 
Saracen  shall  never  make  thy  boast  that  Sir  Tristram  de 
Liones  shall  flee  from  thee.  And  therewith  Sir  Tristram 
made  his  horse  to  run,  and  with  all  his  might  he  came 
straight  upon  Sir  Palomides,  and  brast  his  spear  upon  him 
an  hundred  pieces.  And  forthwithal  Sir  Tristram  drew 
his  sword.  And  then  he  turned  his  horse  and  struck  at 
Palomides  six  great  strokes  upon  his  helm  ;  and  then 
Sir  Palomides  stood  still,  and  beheld  Sir  Tristram,  and 
marvelled  of  his  woodness,  and  of  his  folly.  And  then 
Sir  Palomides  said  to  himself:  An  Sir  Tristram  were 
armed,  it  were  hard  to  cease  him  of  this  battle,  and  if  I 
turn  again  and  slay  him  I  am  ashamed  wheresomever  that 
I  go. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  spake  and  said  :  Thou  coward 
knight,  what  castest  thou  to  do ;  why  wilt  thou  not  do 
battle  with  me  ?  for  have  thou  no  doubt  I  shall  endure  all 
thy  malice.  Ah,  Sir  Tristram,  said  Palomides,  full  well 
thou  wottest  I  may  not  fight  with  thee  for  shame,  for  thou 
art  here  naked  and  I  am  armed,  and  if  I  slay  thee,  dis- 
honour shall  be  mine.  And  well  thou  wottest,  said  Sir 
Palomides  to  Sir  Tristram,  I  know  thy  strength  and  thy 
hardiness  to  endure  against  a  good  knight.  That  is  truth, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  I  understand  thy  valiantness  well.  Ye 
say  well,  said  Sir  Palomides  ;  now,  I  require  you,  tell  me 
a  question  that  I  shall  say  to  you.  Tell  me  what  it  is,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  and  I  shall  answer  you  the  truth,  as  God  me 
help.  I  put  case,  said  Sir  Palomides,  that  ye  were  armed 
at  all  rights  as  well  as  I  am,  and  I  naked  as  ye  be,  what 
would  you  do  to  me  now,  by  your  true  knighthood  ? 
Ah,  said  Sir  Tristram,  now  I  understand  thee  well,  Sir 
Palomides,  for  now  must  I  say  mine  own  judgment,  and 
as  God  me  bless,  that  I  shall  say  shall  not  be  said  for  no 
fear  that  I  have  of  thee.  But  this  is  all :  wit  Sir  Palo- 
mides, as  at  this  time  thou  shouldest  depart  from  me,  for 
I  would  not  have  ado  with  thee.  No  more  will  I,  said 
Palomides,  and  therefore  ride  forth  on  thy  way.  As  for 


CH.  xni      HOW  TRISTRAM  GAT  HARNESS  219 

that  I  may  choose,  said  Sir  Tristram,  either  to  ride  or  to 
abide.  But  Sir  Palomides,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  marvel  of 
one  thing,  that  thou  that  art  so  good  a  knight,  that  thou 
wilt  not  be  christened,  and  thy  brother,  Sir  Safere,  hath 
been  christened  many  a  day. 


CHAPTER   XIII 

How  that  Sir  Tristram  gat  him  harness  of  a  knight  which 
was  hurt,  and  how  he  overthrew  Sir  Palomides. 

As  for  that,  said  Sir  Palomides,  I  may  not  yet  be  christened, 
for  one  avow  that  I  have  made  many  years  agone  ;  how- 
beit  in  my  heart  I  believe  in  Jesu  Christ  and  his  mild 
mother  Mary;  but  I  have  but  one  battle  to  do,  and  when 
that  is  done  I  will  be  baptised  with  a  good  will.  By  my 
head,  said  Tristram,  as  for  one  battle  thou  shalt  not  seek 
it  no  longer.  For  God  defend,  said  Sir  Tristram,  that 
through  my  default  thou  shouldst  longer  live  thus  a 
Saracen,  for  yonder  is  a  knight  that  ye,  Sir  Palomides, 
have  hurt  and  smitten  down.  Now  help  me  that  I  were 
armed  in  his  armour,  and  I  shall  soon  fulfil  thine  avows. 
As  ye  will,  said  Palomides,  so  it  shall  be. 

So  they  rode  both  unto  that  knight  that  sat  upon  a 
bank,  and  then  Sir  Tristram  saluted  him,  and  he  weakly 
saluted  him  again.  Sir  knight,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  require 
you  tell  me  your  right  name.  Sir,  he  said,  my  name  is 
Sir  Galleron  of  Galway,  and  knight  of  the  Table  Round. 
So  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  am  right  heavy  of 
your  hurts  ;  but  this  is  all,  I  must  pray  you  to  lend  me 
all  your  whole  armour,  for  ye  see  I  am  unarmed,  and  I 
must  do  battle  with  this  knight.  Sir,  said  the  hurt  knight, 
ye  shall  have  it  with  a  good  will ;  but  ye  must  beware, 
for  I  warn  you  that  knight  is  wight.  Sir,  said  Galleron, 
I  pray  you  tell  me  your  name,  and  what  is  that  knight's 
name  that  hath  beaten  me.  Sir,  as  for  my  name  it  is  Sir 
Tristram  de  Liones,  and  as  for  the  knight's  name  that 


220  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xn 

hath  hurt  you  is  Sir  Palomides,  brother  to  the  good  knight 
Sir  Safere,  and  yet  is  Sir  Palomides  unchristened.  Alas, 
said  Sir  Galleron,  that  is  pity  that  so  good  a  knight  and 
so  noble  a  man  of  arms  should  be  unchristened.  So  God 
me  help,  said  Sir  Tristram,  either  he  shall  slay  me  or  I 
him  but  that  he  shall  be  christened  or  ever  we  depart  in- 
sunder.  My  lord  Sir  Tristram,  said  Sir  Galleron,  your 
renown  and  worship  is  well  known  through  many  realms, 
and  God  save  you  this  day  from  shenship  and  shame. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  unarmed  Galleron,  the  which  was 
a  noble  knight,  and  had  done  many  deeds  of  arms,  and  he 
was  a  large  knight  of  flesh  and  bone.  And  when  he  was 
unarmed  he  stood  upon  his  feet,  for  he  was  bruised  in  the 
back  with  a  spear  ;  yet  so  as  Sir  Galleron  might,  he  armed 
Sir  Tristram.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  mounted  upon  his 
own  horse,  and  in  his  hand  he  gat  Sir  Galleron's  spear  ; 
and  therewithal  Sir  Palomides  was  ready.  And  so  they 
came  hurtling  together,  and  either  smote  other  in  midst 
of  their  shields  ;  and  therewithal  Sir  Palomides'  spear 
brake,  and  Sir  Tristram  smote  down  the  horse  ;  and  Sir 
Palomides,  as  soon  as  he  might,  avoided  his  horse,  and 
dressed  his  shield,  and  pulled  out  his  sword.  That  saw 
Sir  Tristram,  and  therewithal  he  alighted  and  tied  his 
horse  till  a  tree. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

How  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  fought  long  together, 
and  after  accorded^  and  how  Sir  Tristram  made  him  to 
be  christened. 

AND  then  they  came  together  as  two  wild  boars,  lashing 
together,  tracing  and  traversing  as  noble  men  that  oft  had 
been  well  proved  in  battle  ;  but  ever  Sir  Palomides  dread 
the  might  of  Sir  Tristram,  and  therefore  he  suffered  him 
to  breathe  him.  Thus  they  fought  more  than  two  hours, 
but  often  Sir  Tristram  smote  such  strokes  at  Sir  Palomides 
that  he  made  him  to  kneel ;  and  Sir  Palomides  brake  and 


CH.XIV    HOW  PALOMIDES  WAS  CHRISTENED     221 

cut  away  many  pieces  of  Sir  Tristram's  shield  ;  and  then 
Sir  Palomides  wounded  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  was  a  well 
fighting  man.  Then  Sir  Tristram  was  wood  wroth  out  of 
measure,  and  rushed  upon  Sir  Palomides  with  such  a  might 
that  Sir  Palomides  fell  grovelling  to  the  earth  ;  and  there- 
withal he  leapt  up  lightly  upon  his  feet,  and  then  Sir 
Tristram  wounded  Palomides  sore  through  the  shoulder. 
And  ever  Sir  Tristram  fought  still  in  like  hard,  and  Sir 
Palomides  failed  not,  but  gave  him  many  sad  strokes. 
And  at  the  last  Sir  Tristram  doubled  his  strokes,  and  by 
fortune  Sir  Tristram  smote  Sir  Palomides'  sword  out  of 
his  hand,  and  if  Sir  Palomides  had  stooped  for  his  sword 
he  had  been  slain. 

Then  Palomides  stood  still  and  beheld  his  sword  with 
a  sorrowful  heart.  How  now,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto 
Palomides,  now  have  I  thee  at  advantage  as  thou  haddest 
me  this  day  ;  but  it  shall  never  be  said  in  no  court,  nor 
among  good  knights,  that  Sir  Tristram  shall  slay  any 
knight  that  is  weaponless  ;  and  therefore  take  thou  thy 
sword,  and  let  us  make  an  end  of  this  battle.  As  for  to 
do  this  battle,  said  Palomides,  I  dare  right  well  end  it, 
but  I  have  no  great  lust  to  fight  no  more.  And  for  this 
cause,  said  Palomides  :  mine  offence  to  you  is  not  so  great 
but  that  we  may  be  friends.  All  that  I  have  offended  is 
and  was  for  the  love  of  La  Beale  Isoud.  And  as  for  her, 
I  dare  say  she  is  peerless  above  all  other  ladies,  and  also 
I  proffered  her  never  no  dishonour  ;  and  by  her  I  have 
gotten  the  most  part  of  my  worship.  And  sithen  I  offended 
never  as  to  her  own  person,  and  as  for  the  offence  that 
I  have  done,  it  was  against  your  own  person,  and  for  that 
offence  ye  have  given  me  this  day  many  sad  strokes,  and 
some  I  have  given  you  again  ;  and  now  I  dare  say  I  felt 
never  man  of  your  might,  nor  so  well  breathed,  but  if  it 
were  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  ;  wherefore  I  require  you, 
my  lord,  forgive  me  all  that  I  have  offended  unto  you  ; 
and  this  same  day  have  me  to  the  next  church,  and  first 
let  me  be  clean  confessed,  and  after  see  you  now  that  I  be 
truly  baptised.  And  then  will  we  all  ride  together  unto 
the  court  of  Arthur,  that  we  be  there  at  the  high  feast. 


222  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xn 

Now  take  your  horse,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and  as  ye  say  so 
it  shall  be,  and  all  thine  evil  will  God  forgive  it  you,  and 
I  do.  And  here  within  this  mile  is  the  Suffragan  of 
Carlisle  that  shall  give  you  the  sacrament  of  baptism. 

Then  they  took  their  horses  and  Sir  Galleron  rode 
with  them.  And  when  they  came  to  the  Suffragan  Sir 
Tristram  told  him  their  desire.  Then  the  Suffragan  let 
fill  a  great  vessel  with  water,  and  when  he  had  hallowed  it 
he  then  confessed  clean  Sir  Palomides,  and  Sir  Tristram 
and  Sir  Galleron  were  his  godfathers.  And  then  soon 
after  they  departed,  riding  toward  Camelot,  where  King 
Arthur  and  Queen  Guenever  was,  and  for  the  most  part 
all  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  And  so  the  king 
and  all  the  court  were  glad  that  Sir  Palomides  was 
christened.  And  at  the  same  feast  in  came  Galahad  and 
sat  in  the  Siege  Perilous.  And  so  therewithal  departed 
and  dissevered  all  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  And 
Sir  Tristram  returned  again  unto  Joyous  Gard,  and  Sir 
Palomides  followed  the  Questing  Beast. 


enoetfj  tfje  second  boofc  of  Sir  Ertstram  tfjat  foas 
tirafon  out  of  JFrencfj  into  (Englisfj,  But  fjere  is  no 
refjearsal  of  tfje  tfjtrH  boofc*  &nU  fjere  follofoetfj  tfje 
noble  tale  of  tfje  ^angreal,  tfjat  called  is  tfje  $oljj 
Uessel  ;  antr  tfje  signification  of  tfje  blesseti  fclooo  of 
our  ILortJ  Sfesus  Cjjrist,  ftlessetJ  mote  it  fce,  tfje  fofjicfj 
foas  frrougfjt  into  tfjis  lantj  fog  Sosepfj  of  tomatfjie, 
Efjerefore  on  all  sinful  souls  fclessefc  iLoro  fjafce  tfjou 
ntercg, 

(Explicit  liber  xii,    <£t  inciptt  ©ecimusterctus, 


BOOK    XIII 


CHAPTER   I 

How  at  the  vigil  of  the  Feast  of  Pentecost  entered  into  the 
hall  before  King  Arthur  a  damosel,  and  desired  Sir 
Launcelot  for  to  come  and  dub  a  knight^  and  how  he 
went  with  her. 

AT  the  vigil  of  Pentecost,  when  all  the  fellowship  of  the 
Round  Table  were  come  unto  Camelot  and  there  heard 
their  service,  and  the  tables  were  set  ready  to  the  meat, 
right  so  entered  into  the  hall  a  full  fair  gentlewoman  on 
horseback,  that  had  ridden  full  fast,  for  her  horse  was  all 
besweated.  Then  she  there  alighted,  and  came  before  the 
king  and  saluted  him  ;  and  he  said  :  Damosel,  God  thee 
bless.  Sir,  said  she,  for  God's  sake  say  me  where  Sir 
Launcelot  is.  Yonder  ye  may  see  him,  said  the  king. 
Then  she  went  unto  Launcelot  and  said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  I 
salute  you  on  King  Pelles'  behalf,  and  I  require  you  come 
on  with  me  hereby  into  a  forest.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
asked  her  with  whom  she  dwelled.  I  dwell,  said  she, 
with  King  Pelles.  What  will  ye  with  me  ?  said  Launcelot. 
Ye  shall  know,  said  she,  when  ye  come  thither.  Well, 
said  he,  I  will  gladly  go  with  you.  So  Sir  Launcelot  bade 
his  squire  saddle  his  horse  and  bring  his  arms  ;  and  in  all 
haste  he  did  his  commandment. 

Then  came  the  queen  unto  Launcelot,  and  said  : 
Will  ye  leave  us  at  this  high  feast  ?  Madam,  said  the 
gentlewoman,  wit  ye  well  he  shall  be  with  you  to-morn  by 
dinner  time.  If  I  wist,  said  the  queen,  that  he  should 


224  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xin 

not  be  with  us  here  to-morn  he  should  not  go  with  you 
by  my  good  will.  Right  so  departed  Sir  Launcelot  with 
the  gentlewoman,  and  rode  until  that  he  came  into  a  forest 
and  into  a  great  valley,  where  they  saw  an  abbey  of  nuns  ; 
and  there  was  a  squire  ready  and  opened  the  gates,  and  so 
they  entered  and  descended  off  their  horses  ;  and  there 
came  a  fair  fellowship  about  Sir  Launcelot,  and  welcomed 
him,  and  were  passing  glad  of  his  coming.  And  then 
they  led  him  unto  the  Abbess's  chamber  and  unarmed  him ; 
and  right  so  he  was  ware  upon  a  bed  lying  two  of  his 
cousins,  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Lionel,  and  then  he  waked  them  ; 
and  when  they  saw  him  they  made  great  joy.  Sir,  said 
Sir  Bors  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  what  adventure  hath  brought 
you  hither,  for  we  weened  to-morn  to  have  found  you  at 
Camelot  ?  As  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  a  gentle- 
woman brought  me  hither,  but  I  know  not  the  cause. 

In  the  meanwhile  that  they  thus  stood  talking  together, 
therein  came  twelve  nuns  that  brought  with  them  Galahad, 
the  which  was  passing  fair  and  well  made,  that  unnethe  in 
the  world  men  might  not  find  his  match  :  and  all  those 
ladies  wept.  Sir,  said  they  all,  we  bring  you  here  this 
child  the  which  we  have  nourished,  and  we  pray  you  to 
make  him  a  knight,  for  of  a  more  worthier  man's  hand 
may  he  not  receive  the  order  of  knighthood.  Sir  Launce- 
lot beheld  the  young  squire  and  saw  him  seemly  and 
demure  as  a  dove,  with  all  manner  of  good  features,  that 
he  weened  of  his  age  never  to  have  seen  so  fair  a  man  of 
form.  Then  said  Sir  Launcelot :  Cometh  this  desire  of 
himself  ?  He  and  all  they  said  yea.  Then  shall  he,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  receive  the  high  order  of  knighthood  as 
to-morn  at  the  reverence  of  the  high  feast.  That  night 
Sir  Launcelot  had  passing  good  cheer  ;  and  on  the  morn 
at  the  hour  of  prime,  at  Galahad's  desire,  he  made  him 
knight  and  said  :  God  make  him  a  good  man,  for  of 
beauty  faileth  you  not  as  any  that  liveth. 


CH.  ii  OF  LETTERS  IN  THE  SIEGE  PERILOUS    225 


CHAPTER  II 

How  the  letters  were  found  written  in  the  Siege  Perilous, 
and  of  the  marvellous  adventure  of  the  sword  in  a  stone. 

Now  fair  sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  will  ye  come  with  me 
unto  the  court  of  King  Arthur  ?  Nay,  said  he,  I  will  not 
go  with  you  as  at  this  time.  Then  he  departed  from  them 
and  took  his  two  cousins  with  him,  and  so  they  came  unto 
Camelot  by  the  hour  of  underne  on  Whitsunday.  By  that 
time  the  king  and  the  queen  were  gone  to  the  minster  to 
hear  their  service.  Then  the  king  and  the  queen  were 
passing  glad  of  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Lionel,  and  so  was  all  the 
fellowship.  So  when  the  king  and  all  the  knights  were 
come  from  service,  the  barons  espied  in  the  sieges  of  the 
Round  Table  all  about,  written  with  golden  letters  :  Here 
ought  to  sit  he,  and  he  ought  to  sit  here.  And  thus  they 
went  so  long  till  that  they  came  to  the  Siege  Perilous, 
where  they  found  letters  newly  written  of  gold  which  said : 
Four  hundred  winters  and  four  and  fifty  accomplished 
after  the  passion  of  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ  ought  this  siege 
to  be  fulfilled.  Then  all  they  said  :  This  is  a  marvellous 
thing  and  an  adventurous.  In  the  name  of  God,  said  Sir 
Launcelot ;  and  then  accompted  the  term  of  the  writing 
from  the  birth  of  our  Lord  unto  that  day.  It  seemeth  me, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  this  siege  ought  to  be  fulfilled  this  same 
day,  for  this  is  the  feast  of  Pentecost  after  the  four  hundred 
and  four  and  fifty  year  ;  and  if  it  would  please  all  parties, 
I  would  none  of  these  letters  were  seen  this  day,  till  he  be 
come  that  ought  to  enchieve  this  adventure.  Then  made 
they  to  ordain  a  cloth  of  silk,  for  to  cover  these  letters  in 
the  Siege  Perilous. 

Then  the  king  bade  haste  unto  dinner.  Sir,  said  Sir 
Kay  the  Steward,  if  ye  go  now  unto  your  meat  ye  shall 
break  your  old  custom  of  your  court,  for  ye  have  not  used 
on  this  day  to  sit  at  your  meat  or  that  ye  have  seen  some 
adventure.  Ye  say  sooth,  said  the  king,  but  I  had  so 

VOL.   II  Q 


226  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xin 

great  joy  of  Sir  Launcelot  and  of  his  cousins,  which  be 
come  to  the  court  whole  and  sound,  so  that  I  bethought 
me  not  of  mine  old  custom.  So,  as  they  stood  speaking, 
in  came  a  squire  and  said  unto  the  king  :  Sir,  I  bring  unto 
you  marvellous  tidings.  What  be  they  ?  said  the  king. 
Sir,  there  is  here  beneath  at  the  river  a  great  stone  which 
I  saw  fleet  above  the  water,  and  therein  I  saw  sticking  a 
sword.  The  king  said  :  I  will  see  that  marvel.  So  all 
the  knights  went  with  him,  and  when  they  came  to  the 
river  they  found  there  a  stone  fleeting,  as  it  were  of  red 
marble,  and  therein  stuck  a  fair  rich  sword,  and  in  the 
pommel  thereof  were  precious  stones  wrought  with  subtle 
letters  of  gold.  Then  the  barons  read  the  letters  which 
said  in  this  wise  :  Never  shall  man  take  me  hence,  but 
only  he  by  whose  side  I  ought  to  hang,  and  he  shall  be  the 
best  knight  of  the  world. 

When  the  king  had  seen  the  letters,  he  said  unto  Sir 
Launcelot:  Fair  Sir,  this  sword  ought  to  be  yours,  for  I 
am  sure  ye  be  the  best  knight  of  the  world.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  answered  full  soberly  :  Certes,  sir,  it  is  not  my 
sword ;  also,  Sir,  wit  ye  well  I  have  no  hardiness  to  set 
my  hand  to  it,  for  it  longed  not  to  hang  by  my  side. 
Also,  who  that  assayeth  to  take  the  sword  and  faileth  of 
it,  he  shall  receive  a  wound  by  that  sword  that  he  shall  not 
be  whole  long  after.  And  I  will  that  ye  wit  that  this  same 
day  shall  the  adventures  of  the  Sangreal,  that  is  called  the 
Holy  Vessel,  begin. 


CHAPTER   III 

How  Sir  Gawaine  assayed  to  draw  out  the  sword,  and  how 
an  old  man  brought  in  Galahad. 

Now,  fair  nephew,  said  the  king  unto  Sir  Gawaine,  assay 
ye,  for  my  love.  Sir,  he  said,  save  your  good  grace  I 
shall  not  do  that.  Sir,  said  the  king,  assay  to  take  the 
sword  and  at  my  commandment.  Sir,  said  Gawaine,  your 


CH.  in    OF  SIR  GAWAINE  AND  THE  SWORD        227 

commandment  I  will  obey.  And  therewith  he  took  up 
the  sword  by  the  handles,  but  he  might  not  stir  it.  I 
thank  you,  said  the  king  to  Sir  Gawaine.  My  lord  Sir 
Gawaine,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  now  wit  ye  well  this  sword 
shall  touch  you  so  sore  that  ye  shall  will  ye  had  never  set 
your  hand  thereto  for  the  best  castle  of  this  realm.  Sir,  he 
said,  I  might  not  withsay  mine  uncle's  will  and  command- 
ment. But  when  the  king  heard  this  he  repented  it  much, 
and  said  unto  Sir  Percivale  that  he  should  assay,  for  his 
love.  And  he  said  :  Gladly,  for  to  bear  Sir  Gawaine 
fellowship.  And  therewith  he  set  his  hand  on  the  sword 
and  drew  it  strongly,  but  he  might  not  move  it.  Then 
were  there  no l  mo  that  durst  be  so  hardy  to  set  their  hands 
thereto.  Now  may  ye  go  to  your  dinner,  said  Sir  Kay 
unto  the  king,  for  a  marvellous  adventure  have  ye  seen. 
So  the  king  and  all  went  unto  the  court,  and  every  knight 
knew  his  own  place,  and  set  him  therein,  and  young  men 
that  were  knights  served  them. 

So  when  they  were  served,  and  all  sieges  fulfilled  save 
only  the  Siege  Perilous,  anon  there  befell  a  marvellous 
adventure,  that  all  the  doors  and  windows  of  the  palace 
shut  by  themself.  Not  for  then  the  hall  was  not  greatly 
darked  ;  and  therewith  they  were l  all l  abashed  both  one  and 
other.  Then  King  Arthur  spake  first  and  said  :  By  God, 
fair  fellows  and  lords,  we  have  seen  this  day  marvels,  but 
or  night  I  suppose  we  shall  see  greater  marvels. 

In  the  meanwhile  came  in  a  good  old  man,  and  an 
ancient,  clothed  all  in  white,  and  there  was  no  knight  knew 
from  whence  he  came.  And  with  him  he  brought  a  young 
knight,  both  on  foot,  in  red  arms,  without  sword  or  shield, 
save  a  scabbard  hanging  by  his  side.  And  these  words  he 
said  :  Peace  be  with  you,  fair  lords.  Then  the  old  man 
said  unto  Arthur :  Sir,  I  bring  here  a  young  knight,  the 
which  is  of  king's  lineage,  and  of  the  kindred  of  Joseph  of 
Aramathie,  whereby  the  marvels  of  this  court,  and  of 
strange  realms,  shall  be  fully  accomplished. 

1  Omitted  by  Caxton,  supplied  from  W.  de  Worde. 


228  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xin 


CHAPTER    IV 

How  the  old  man  brought  Galahad  to  the  Siege  Perilous 
and  set  him  therein,  and  how  all  the  knights  marvelled. 

THE  king  was  right  glad  of  his  words,  and  said  unto  the 
good  man  :  Sir,  ye  be  right  welcome,  and  the  young 
knight  with  you.  Then  the  old  man  made  the  young 
man  to  unarm  him,  and  he  was  in  a  coat  of  red  sendal, 
and  bare  a  mantle  upon  his  shoulder  that  was  furred  with 
ermine,  and  put  that  upon  him.  And  the  old  knight  said 
unto  the  young  knight  :  Sir,  follow  me.  And  anon  he 
led  him  unto  the  Siege  Perilous,  where  beside  sat  Sir 
Launcelot ;  and  the  good  man  lift  up  the  cloth,  and  found 
there  letters  that  said  thus  :  This  is  the  siege  of  Galahad, 
the  haut  prince.  Sir,  said  the  old  knight,  wit  ye  well 
that  place  is  yours.  And  then  he  set  him  down  surely  in 
that  siege.  And  then  he  said  to  the  old  man  :  Sir,  ye 
may  now  go  your  way,  for  well  have  ye  done  that  ye  were 
commanded  to  do  ;  and  recommend  me  unto  my  grand- 
sire,  King  Pelles,  and  unto  my  lord  Petchere,  and  say 
them  on  my  behalf,  I  shall  come  and  see  them  as  soon  as 
ever  I  may.  So  the  good  man  departed  ;  and  there  met 
him  twenty  noble  squires,  and  so  took  their  horses  and 
went  their  way. 

Then  all  the  knights  of  the  Table  Round  marvelled 
greatly  of  Sir  Galahad,  that  he  durst  sit  there  in  that  Siege 
Perilous,  and  was  so  tender  of  age ;  and  wist  not  from 
whence  he  came  but  all  only  by  God ;  and  said  :  This  is 
he  by  whom  the  Sangreal  shall  be  enchieved,  for  there  sat 
never  none  but  he,  but  he  were  mischieved.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  beheld  his  son  and  had  great  joy  of  him.  Then 
Bors  told  his  fellows  :  Upon  pain  of  my  life  this  young 
knight  shall  come  unto  great  worship.  This  noise  was 
great  in  all  the  court,  so  that  it  came  to  the  queen.  Then 
she  had  marvel  what  knight  it  might  be  that  durst  adven- 
ture him  to  sit  in  the  Siege  Perilous.  Many  said  unto  the 


CHAP,  v   OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND  GALAHAD        229 

queen  he  resembled  much  unto  Sir  Launcelot.  I  may 
well  suppose,  said  the  queen,  that  Sir  Launcelot  begat  him 
on  King  Pelles'  daughter,  by  the  which  he  was  made  to  lie 
by,  by  enchantment,  and  his  name  is  Galahad.  I  would 
fain  see  him,  said  the  queen,  for  he  must  needs  be  a  noble 
man,  for  so  is  his  father  that  him  begat,  I  report  me  unto 
all  the  Table  Round. 

So  when  the  meat  was  done  that  the  king  and  all  were 
risen,  the  king  yede  unto  the  Siege  Perilous  and  lift  up 
the  cloth,  and  found  there  the  name  of  Galahad  ;  and  then 
he  shewed  it  unto  Sir  Gawaine,  and  said  :  Fair  nephew, 
now  have  we  among  us  Sir  Galahad,  the  good  knight  that 
shall  worship  us  all ;  and  upon  pain  of  my  life  he  shall 
enchieve  the  Sangreal,  right  as  Sir  Launcelot  had  done  us  to 
understand.  Then  came  King  Arthur  unto  Galahad  and 
said  :  Sir,  ye  be  welcome,  for  ye  shall  move  many  good 
knights  to  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal,  and  ye  shall  enchieve 
that  never  knights  might  bring  to  an  end.  Then  the 
king  took  him  by  the  hand,  and  went  down  from 
palace  to  shew  Galahad  the  adventures  of  the  stone. 


CHAPTER  V 

How  King  Arthur  shewed  the  stone  having  on  the  water  to 
Galahad^  and  how  he  drew  out  the  sword. 

THE  queen  heard  thereof,  and  came  after  with  many 
ladies,  and  shewed  them  the  stone  where  it  hoved  on  the 
water.  Sir,  said  the  king  unto  Sir  Galahad,  here  is  a  great 
marvel  as  ever  I  saw,  and  right  good  knights  have  assayed 
and  failed.  Sir,  said  Galahad,  that  is  no  marvel,  for  this 
adventure  is  not  theirs  but  mine ;  and  for  the  surety  of 
this  sword  I  brought  none  with  me,  for  here  by  my  side 
hangeth  the  scabbard.  And  anon  he  laid  his  hand  on  the 
sword,  and  lightly  drew  it  out  of  the  stone,  and  put  it  in 
the  sheath,  and  said  unto  the  king  :  Now  it  goeth  better 
than  it  did  aforehand.  Sir,  said  the  king,  a  shield  God 
shall  send  you.  Now  have  I  that  sword  that  sometime 


230  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xm 

was  the  good  knight's,  Balin  le  Savage,  and  he  was  a 
passing  good  man  of  his  hands  ;  and  with  this  sword  he 
slew  his  brother  Balan,  and  that  was  great  pity,  for  he  was 
a  good  knight,  and  either  slew  other  through  a  dolorous 
stroke  that  Balin  gave  unto  my  grandfather  King  Pelles, 
the  which  is  not  yet  whole,  nor  not  shall  be  till  I  heal 
him. 

Therewith  the  king  and  all  espied  where  came  riding 
down  the  river  a  lady  on  a  white  palfrey  toward  them. 
Then  she  saluted  the  king  and  the  queen,  and  asked  if 
that  Sir  Launcelot  was  there.  And  then  he  answered 
himself:  I  am  here,  fair  lady.  Then  she  said  all  with 
weeping  :  How  your  great  doing  is  changed  sith  this  day 
in  the  morn.  Damosel,  why  say  you  so  ?  said  Launcelot. 
I  say  you  sooth,  said  the  damosel,  for  ye  were  this  day  the 
best  knight  of  the  world,  but  who  should  say  so  now,  he 
should  be  a  liar,  for  there  is  now  one  better  than  ye,  and 
well  it  is  proved  by  the  adventures  of  the  sword  whereto 
ye  durst  not  set  to  your  hand;  and  that  is  the  change 
and  leaving  of  your  name.  Wherefore  I  make  unto  you 
a  remembrance,  that  ye  shall  not  ween  from  henceforth 
that  ye  be  the  best  knight  of  the  world.  As  touching 
unto  that,  said  Launcelot,  I  know  well  I  was  never  the 
best.  Yes,  said  the  damosel,  that  were  ye,  and  are  yet,  of 
any  sinful  man  of  the  world.  And,  Sir  king,  Nacien,  the 
hermit,  sendeth  thee  word,  that  thee  shall  befall  the 
greatest  worship  that  ever  befell  king  in  Britain  ;  and  I 
say  you  wherefore,  for  this  day  the  Sangreal  appeared  in 
thy  house  and  fed  thee  and  all  thy  fellowship  of  the 
Round  Table.  So  she  departed  and  went  that  same  way 
that  she  came. 


CHAPTER   VI 

How  King  Arthur  had  all  the  knights  together  for  to  joust 
in  the  meadow  beside  Camelot  or  they  departed. 

Now,   said   the    king,   I   am   sure    at   this    quest  of  the 
Sangreal  shall  all  ye  of  the  Table  Round  depart,  and  never 


CHAP,  vii    OF  THE  QUEEN  AND  GALAHAD  231 

shall  I  see  you  again  whole  together  ;  therefore  I  will  see 
you  all  whole  together  in  the  meadow  of  Camelot  to  joust 
and  to  tourney,  that  after  your  death  men  may  speak  of 
it  that  such  good  knights  were  wholly  together  such  a 
day.  As  unto  that  counsel  and  at  the  king's  request 
they  accorded  all,  and  took  on  their  harness  that  longed 
unto  jousting.  But  all  this  moving  of  the  king  was  for 
this  intent,  for  to  see  Galahad  proved  ;  for  the  king 
deemed  he  should  not  lightly  come  again  unto  the  court 
after  his  departing.  So  were  they  assembled  in  the 
meadow,  both  more  and  less.  Then  Sir  Galahad,  by  the 
prayer  of  the  king  and  the  queen,  did  upon  him  a  noble 
jesseraunce,  and  also  he  did  on  his  helm,  but  shield  would 
he  take  none  for  no  prayer  of  the  king.  And  then  Sir 
Gawaine  and  other  knights  prayed  him  to  take  a  spear. 
Right  so  he  did  ;  and  the  queen  was  in  a  tower  with  all 
her  ladies,  for  to  behold  that  tournament.  Then  Sir 
Galahad  dressed  him  in  midst  of  the  meadow,  and  began 
to  break  spears  marvellously,  that  all  men  had  wonder  of 
him ;  for  he  there  surmounted  all  other  knights,  for 
within  a  while  he  had  defouled  many  good  knights  of  the 
Table  Round  save  twain,  that  was  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir 
Percivale. 


CHAPTER  VII 

How  the  queen  desired  to  see  Galahad ;  and  how  after,  all 
the  knights  were  replenished  with  the  Holy  Sangreal, 
and  how  they  avowed  the  enquest  of  the  same. 

THEN  the  king,  at  the  queen's  request,  made  him  to 
alight  and  to  unlace  his  helm,  that  the  queen  might  see 
him  in  the  visage.  When  she  beheld  him  she  said  : 
Soothly  I  dare  well  say  that  Sir  Launcelot  begat  him,  for 
never  two  men  resembled  more  in  likeness,  therefore  it  nis 
no  marvel  though  he  be  of  great  prowess.  So  a  lady  that 
stood  by  the  queen  said  :  Madam,  for  God's  sake  ought 
he  of  right  to  be  so  good  a  knight  ?  Yea,  forsooth,  said 


232  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xin 

the  queen,  for  he  is  of  all  parties  come  of  the  best  knights 

f  of  the  world  and  of  the  highest  lineage ;  for  Sir  Launcelot 

\  is   come  but  of  the  eighth  degree  from  our   Lord  Jesu 

Christ,  and  Sir  Galahad  is  of  the  ninth  degree  from  our 

Lord  Jesu  Christ,  therefore  I  dare  say  they  be  the  greatest 

gentlemen  of  the  world. 

And  then  the  king  and  all  estates  went  home  unto 
Camelot,  and  so  went  to  evensong  to  the  great  minster, 
and  so  after  upon  that  to  supper,  and  every  knight  sat  in 
his  own  place  as  they  were  toforehand.  Then  anon  they 
heard  cracking  and  crying  of  thunder,  that  them  thought 
the  place  should  all  to-drive.  In  the  midst  of  this  blast 
entered  a  sunbeam  more  clearer  by  seven  times  than  ever 
they  saw  day,  and  all  they  were  alighted  of  the  grace  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.  Then  began  every  knight  to  behold 
other,  and  either  saw  other,  by  their  seeming,  fairer  than 
ever  they  saw  afore.  Not  for  then  there  was  no  knight 
might  speak  one  word  a  great  while,  and  so  they  looked 
every  man  on  other  as  they  had  been  dumb.  Then  there 
entered  into  the  hall  the  Holy  Grail  covered  with  white 
samite,  but  there  was  none  might  see  it,  nor  who  bare  it. 

<\.nd  there  was  all  the  hall  fulfilled  with  good  odours,  and 
very  knight  had  such  meats  and  drinks  as  he  best  loved 
m  this  world.  And  when  the  Holy  Grail  had  been  borne 
through  the  hall,  then  the  holy  vessel  departed  suddenly, 
that  they  wist  not  where  it  became  :  then  had  they  all 
breath  to  speak.  And  then  the  king  yielded  thankings 
to  God,  of  His  good  grace  that  he  had  sent  them.  Certes, 
said  the  king,  we  ought  to  thank  our  Lord  Jesu  greatly 
for  that  he  hath  shewed  us  this  day,  at  the  reverence  of  this 
high  feast  of  Pentecost^ 

Now,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  we  have  been  served  this  day 
of  what  meats  and  drinks  we  thought  on  ;  but  one  thing 
beguiled  us,  we  might  not  see  the  Holy  Grail,  it  was  so 
preciously  covered.  Wherefore  I  will  make  here  avow, 
that  to-morn,  without  longer  abiding,  I  shall  labour  in  the 
quest  of  the  Sangreal,  that  I  shall  hold  me  out  a  twelve- 
month and  a  day,  or  more  if  need  be,  and  never  shall  I 
return  again  unto  the  court  till  I  have  seen  it  more  openly 


o  > 


S  U 


£ 
6" 


p  <^ 


CH.  viii    THE  DEPARTURE  OF  THE  KNIGHTS     233 

than  it  hath  been  seen  here  ;  and  if  I  may  not  speed  I 
shall  return  again  as  he  that  may  not  be  against  the  will  of 
our  Lord  Jesu  Christ. 

When  they  of  the  Table  Round  heard  Sir  Gawaine  say 
so,  they  arose  up  the  most  part  and  made  such  avows  as 
Sir  Gawaine  had  made.  Anon  as  King  Arthur  heard  this 
he  was  greatly  displeased,  ?or  he  wist  well  they  might  not 
again -say  their  avows.  Alas,  said  King  Arthur  unto 
Sir  Gawaine,  ye  have  nigh  slain  me  with  the  avow  and 
promise  that  ye  have  made  ;  for  through  you  ye  have 
bereft  me  the  fairest  fellowship  and  the  truest  of  knight- 
hood that  ever  were  seen  together  in  any  realm  of  the 
world  ;  for  when  they  depart  from  hence  I  am  sure  they 
all  shall  never  meet  more  in  this  world,  for  they  shall  die 
many  in  the  quest.  And  so  it  forthinketh  me  a  little,  for 
I  have  loved  them  as  well  as  my  life,  wherefore  it  shall 
grieve  me  right  sore,  the  departition  of  this  fellowship  : 
for  I  have  had  an  old  custom  to  have  them  in  my  fellow- 
ship. 


CHAPTER   VIII 

How  great  sorrow  was  made  of  the  king  and  the  queen  and 
ladies  for  the  departing  of  the  knights ',  and  how  they 
departed. 

AND  therewith  the  tears  fell  in  his  eyes.  And  then  he 
said  :  Gawaine,  Gawaine,  ye  have  set  me  in  great  sorrow, 
for  I  have  great  doubt  that  my  true  fellowship  shall  never 
meet  here  more  again.  Ah,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  comfort 
yourself ;  for  it  shall  be  unto  us  a  great  honour  and  much 
more  than  if  we  died  in  any  other  places,  for  of  death  we 
be  siker.  Ah,  Launcelot,  said  the  king,  the  great  love 
that  I  have  had  unto  you  all  the  days  of  my  life  maketh 
me  to  say  such  doleful  words  ;  for  never  Christian  king 
had  never  so  many  worthy  men  at  his  table  as  I  have  had 
this  day  at  the  Round  Table,  and  that  is  my  great  sorrow. 
When  the  queen,  ladies,  and  gentlewomen,  wist  these 


234  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xin 

tidings,  they  had  such  sorrow  and  heaviness  that  there 
might  no  tongue  tell  it,  for  those  knights  had  held  them 
in  honour  and  chierte.  But  among  all  other  Queen 
Guenever  made  great  sorrow.  I  marvel,  said  she,  my 
lord  would  suffer  them  to  depart  from  him.  Thus  was 
all  the  court  troubled  for  the  love  of  the  departition  of 
those  knights.  And  many  of  those  ladies  that  loved 
knights  would  have  gone  with  their  lovers ;  and  so  had 
they  done,  had  not  an  old  knight  come  among  them  in 
religious  clothing  ;  and  then  he  spake  all  on  high  and 
said  :  Fair  lords,  which  have  sworn  in  the  quest  of  the 
Sangreal,  thus  sendeth  you  Nacien,  the  hermit,  word,  that 
none  in  this  quest  lead  lady  nor  gentlewoman  with  him, 
for  it  is  not  to  do  in  so  high  a  service  as  they  labour  in  ; 
for  I  warn  you  plain,  he  that  is  not  clean  of  his  sins  he 
shall  not  see  the  mysteries  of  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ.  And 
for  this  cause  they  left  these  ladies  and  gentlewomen. 

After  this  the  queen  came  unto  Galahad  and  asked 
him  of  whence  he  was,  and  of  what  country.  He  told 
her  of  whence  he  was.  And  son  unto  Launcelot,  she  said 
he  was.  As  to  that,  he  said  neither  yea  nor  nay.  So  God 
me  help,  said  the  queen,  of  your  father  ye  need  not  to 
shame  you,  for  he  is  the  goodliest  knight,  and  of  the  best 
men  of  the  world  come,  and  of  the  strain,  of  all  parties, 
of  kings.  Wherefore  ye  ought  of  right  to  be,  of  your 
deeds,  a  passing  good  man  ;  and  certainly,  she  said,  ye 
resemble  him  much.  Then  Sir  Galahad  was  a  little 
ashamed  and  said  :  Madam,  sith  ye  know  in  certain, 
wherefore  do  ye  ask  it  me  ?  for  he  that  is  my  father  shall 
be  known  openly  and  all  betimes.  And  then  they  went 
to  rest  them.  And  in  the  honour  of  the  highness  of 
Galahad  he  was  led  into  King  Arthur's  chamber,  and 
there  rested  in  his  own  bed. 

And  as  soon  as  it  was  day  the  king  arose,  for  he  had 
no  rest  of  all  that  night  for  sorrow.  Then  he  went  unto 
Gawaine  and  to  Sir  Launcelot  that  were  arisen  for  to  hear 
mass.  And  then  the  king  again  said :  Ah  Gawaine, 
Gawaine,  ye  have  betrayed  me  ;  for  never  shall  my  court 
be  amended  by  you,  but  ye  will  never  be  sorry  for  me  as 


CH.  viii    THE  DEPARTURE  OF  THE  KNIGHTS     235 

I  am  for  you.  And  therewith  the  tears  began  to  run  down 
by  his  visage.  And  therewith  the  king  said  :  Ah,  knight 
Sir  Launcelot,  I  require  thee  thou  counsel  me,  for  I  would 
that  this  quest  were  undone,  an  it  might  be.  Sir,  said  Sir 
Latmcelot,  ye  saw  yesterday  so  many  worthy  knights  that 
then  were  sworn  that  they  may  not  leave  it  in  no  manner 
of  wise.  That  wot  I  well,  said  the  king,  but  it  shall  so 
heavy  me  at  their  departing  that  I  wot  well  there  shall  no 
manner  of  joy  remedy  me.  And  then  the  king  and  the 
queen  went  unto  the  minster.  So  anon  Launcelot  and 
Gawaine  commanded  their  men  to  bring  their  arms.  And 
when  they  all  were  armed  save  their  shields  and  their 
helms,  then  they  came  to  their  fellowship,  which  were  all 
ready  in  the  same  wise,  for  to  go  to  the  minster  to  hear 
their  service. 

Then  after  the  service  was  done  the  king  would  wit 
how  many  had  undertaken  the  quest  of  the  Holy  Grail ; 
and  to  accompt  them  he  prayed  them  all.  Then  found 
they  by  the  tale  an  hundred  and  fifty,  and  all  were  knights 
of  the  Round  Table.  And  then  they  put  on  their  helms 
and  departed,  and  recommended  them  all  wholly  unto  the 
queen  ;  and  there  was  weeping  and  great  sorrow.  Then 
the  queen  departed  into  her  chamber  and  held  her,  so  that 
no  man  should  perceive  her  great  sorrows.  When  Sir 
Launcelot  missed  the  queen  he  went  till  her  chamber,  and 
when  she  saw  him  she  cried  aloud  :  O  Launcelot,  Launce- 
lot, ye  have  betrayed  me  and  put  me  to  the  death,  for  to 
leave  thus  my  lord.  Ah,  madam,  I  pray  you  be  not 
displeased,  for  I  shall  come  again  as  soon  as  I  may  with 
my  worship.  Alas,  said  she,  that  ever  I  saw  you  ;  but  he 
that  suffered  upon  the  cross  for  all  mankind,  he  be  unto 
you  good  conduct  and  safety,  and  all  the  whole  fellowship. 

Right  so  departed  Sir  Launcelot,  and  found  his  fellow- 
ship that  abode  his  coming.  And  so  they  mounted  upon 
their  horses  and  rode  through  the  streets  of  Camelot ;  and 
there  was  weeping  of  rich  and  poor,  and  the  king  turned 
away  and  might  not  speak  for  weeping.  So  within  a 
while  they  came  to  a  city,  and  a  castle  that  hight  Vagon. 
There  they  entered  into  the  castle,  and  the  lord  of  that 


236  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xm 

castle  was  an  old  man  that  hight  Vagon,  and  he  was  a 
good  man  of  his  living,  and  set  open  the  gates,  and  made 
them  all  the  cheer  that  he  might.  And  so  on  the  morn 
they  were  all  accorded  that  they  should  depart  everych 
from  other  ;  and  on  the  morn  they  departed  with  weeping 
cheer,  and  every  knight  took  the  way  that  him  liked  best. 


CHAPTER   IX 

How  Galahad  gat  him  a  shield,  and  how  they  sped  that 
presumed  to  take  down  the  said  shield. 

Now  rideth  Sir  Galahad  yet  without  shield,  and  so  he 
rode  four  days  without  any  adventure.  And  at  the 
fourth  day  after  evensong  he  came  to  a  White  Abbey,  and 
there  he  was  received  with  great  reverence,  and  led  unto 
a  chamber,  and  there  was  he  unarmed  ;  and  then  was  he 
ware  of  two J  knights  of  the  Table  Round,  one  was  Sir 
Bagdemagus,  and1  that1  other1  was  Sir  Uwaine.  And  when 
they  saw  him  they  went  unto  Galahad  and  made  of  him 
great  solace,  and  so  they  went  unto  supper.  Sirs,  said  Sir 
Galahad,  what  adventure  brought  you  hither  ?  Sir,  said 
they,  it  is  told  us  that  within  this  place  is  a  shield  that 
no  man  may  bear  about  his  neck  but  he  be  mischieved 
outher  dead  within  three  days,  or  maimed  for  ever.  Ah 
sir,  said  King  Bagdemagus,  I  shall  it  bear  to-morrow  for 
to  assay  this  adventure.  In  the  name  of  God,  said  Sir 
Galahad.  Sir,  said  Bagdemagus,  an  I  may  not  enchieve 
the  adventure  of  this  shield  ye  shall  take  it  upon  you, 
for  I  am  sure  ye  shall  not  fail.  Sir,  said  Galahad,  I  right 
well  agree  me  thereto,  for  I  have  no  shield.  So  on  the 
morn  they  arose  and  heard  mass.  Then  Bagdemagus 
asked  where  the  adventurous  shield  was.  Anon  a  monk 
led  him  behind  an  altar  where  the  shield  hung  as  white  as 
any  snow,  but  in  the  midst  was  a  red  cross.  Sir,  said  the 
monk,  this  shield  ought  not  to  be  hanged  about  no 
knight's  neck  but  he  be  the  worthiest  knight  of  the  world  ; 
1  Omitted  by  Caxton,  supplied  from  W.  de  Worde. 


CHAP,  ix     HOW  GALAHAD  GAT  A  SHIELD  237 

therefore  I  counsel  you  knights  to  be  well  advised.  Well, 
said  Bagdemagus,  I  wot  well  that  I  am  not  the  best  knight 
of  the  world,  but  yet  I  shall  assay  to  bear  it,  and  so  bare 
it  out  of  the  minster.  And  then  he  said  unto  Galahad  : 
An  it  please  you  abide  here  still,  till  ye  wit  how  that  I 
speed.  I  shall  abide  you,  said  Galahad.  Then  King 
Bagdemagus  took  with  him  a  good  squire,  to  bring  tidings 
unto  Sir  Galahad  how  he  sped. 

Then  when  they  had  ridden  a  two  mile  and  came 
to  a  fair  valley  afore  an  hermitage,  then  they  saw  a 
knight  come  from  that  part  in  white  armour,  horse  and 
all ;  and  he  came  as  fast  as  his  horse  might  run,  and  his 
spear  in  his  rest,  and  Bagdemagus  dressed  his  spear 
against  him  and  brake  it  upon  the  white  knight.  But  the 
other  struck  him  so  hard  that  he  brast  the  mails,  and 
sheef  him  through  the  right  shoulder,  for  the  shield 
covered  him  not  as  at  that  time  ;  and  so  he  bare  him  from 
his  horse.  And  therewith  he  alighted  and  took  the  white 
shield  from  him,  saying  :  Knight,  thou  hast  done  thyself 
great  folly,  for  this  shield  ought  not  to  be  borne  but  by 
him  that  shall  have  no  peer  that  liveth.  And  then  he 
came  to  Bagdemagus'  squire  and  said  :  Bear  this  shield 
unto  the  good  knight  Sir  Galahad,  that  thou  left  in  the 
abbey,  and  greet  him  well  by  me.  Sir,  said  the  squire, 
what  is  your  name  ?  Take  thou  no  heed  of  my  name, 
said  the  knight,  for  it  is  not  for  thee  to  know  nor 
for  none  earthly  man.  Now,  fair  sir,  said  the  squire,  at 
the  reverence  of  Jesu  Christ,  tell  me  for  what  cause  this 
shield  may  not  be  borne  but  if  the  bearer  thereof  be  mis- 
chieved.  Now  sith  thou  hast  conjured  me  so,  said  the 
knight,  this  shield  behoveth  unto  no  man  but  unto  Galahad. 
And  the  squire  went  unto  Bagdemagus  and  asked  whether 
he  were  sore  wounded  or  not.  Yea  forsooth,  said  he,  I 
shall  escape  hard  from  the  death.  Then  he  fetched  his 
horse,  and  brought  him  with  great  pain  unto  an  abbey. 
Then  was  he  taken  down  softly  and  unarmed,  and  laid  in  a 
bed,  and  there  was  looked  to  his  wounds.  And  as  the  book 
telleth,  he  lay  there  long,  and  escaped  hard  with  the  life. 


238  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xm 


CHAPTER   X 

Plow   Galahad  departed  with   the  shield,  and  how  King 
Evelake  had  received  the  shield  of  Joseph  of  Aramathie. 

SIR  GALAHAD,  said  the  squire,  that  knight  that  wounded 
Bagdemagus  sendeth  you  greeting,  and  bade  that  ye  should 
bear  this  shield,  wherethrough  great  adventures  should 
befall.  Now  blessed  be  God  and  fortune,  said  Galahad. 
And  then  he  asked  his  arms,  and  mounted  upon  his  horse, 
and  hung  the  white  shield  about  his  neck,  and  commended 
them  unto  God.  And  Sir  Uwaine  said  he  would  bear 
him  fellowship  if  it  pleased  him.  Sir,  said  Galahad,  that 
may  ye  not,  for  I  must  go  alone,  save  this  squire  shall 
bear  me  fellowship  :  and  so  departed  Uwaine. 

Then  within  a  while  came  Galahad  thereas  the  White 
Knight  abode  him  by  the  hermitage,  and  everych  saluted 
other  courteously.  Sir,  said  Galahad,  by  this  shield  be 
many  marvels  fallen.  Sir,  said  the  knight,  it  befell  after 
the  passion  of  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ  thirty-two  year,  that 
Joseph  of  Aramathie,  the  gentle  knight,  the  which  took 
down  our  Lord  off  the  holy  Cross,  at  that  time  he 
departed  from  Jerusalem  with  a  great  party  of  his  kindred 
with  him.  And  so  he  laboured  till  that  they  came  to  a 
city  that  hight  Sarras.  And  at  that  same  hour  that  Joseph 
came  to  Sarras  there  was  a  king  that  hight  Evelake,  that 
had  great  war  against  the  Saracens,  and  in  especial  against 
one  Saracen,  the  which  was  King  Evelake's  cousin,  a  rich 
king  and  a  mighty,  which  marched  nigh  this  land,  and  his 
name  was  called  Tolleme  la  Feintes.  So  on  a  day  these 
two  met  to  do  battle.  Then  Joseph,  the  son  of  Joseph  of 
Aramathie,  went  to  King  Evelake  and  told  him  he  should 
be  discomfit  and  slain,  but  if  he  left  his  belief  of  the  old 
law  and  believed  upon  the  new  law.  And  then  there  he 
shewed  him  the  right  belief  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  to  the 
which  he  agreed  unto  with  all  his  heart ;  and  there  this 
shield  was  made  for  King  Evelake,  in  the  name  of  Him 


CH.  xi    OF  JOSEPH  AND  THE  WHITE  SHIELD     239 

that  died  upon  the  Cross.  And  then  through  his  good 
belief  he  had  the  better  of  King  Tolleme.  For  when 
Evelake  was  in  the  battle  there  was  a  cloth  set  afore  the 
shield,  and  when  he  was  in  the  greatest  peril  he  let  put 
away  the  cloth,  and  then  his  enemies  saw  a  figure  of  a 
man  on  the  Cross,  wherethrough  they  all  were  discomfit. 
And  so  it  befell  that  a  man  of  King  Evelake's  was  smitten 
his  hand  ofF,  and  bare  that  hand  in  his  other  hand  ;  and 
Joseph  called  that  man  unto  him  and  bade  him  go  with 
good  devotion  touch  the  Cross.  And  as  soon  as  that  man 

O 

had  touched  the  Cross  with  his  hand  it  was  as  whole  as 
ever  it  was  to-fore.  Then  soon  after  there  fell  a  great 
marvel,  that  the  cross  of  the  shield  at  one  time  vanished 
away  that  no  man  wist  where  it  became.  And  then  King 
Evelake  was  baptised,  and  for  the  most  part  all  the  people 
of  that  city.  So,  soon  after  Joseph  would  depart,  and 
King  Evelake  would  go  with  him,  whether  he  wold  or 
nold.  And  so  by  fortune  they  came  into  this  land,  that 
at  that  time  was  called  Great  Britain  ;  and  there  they 
found  a  great  felon  paynim,  that  put  Joseph  into  prison. 
And  so  by  fortune  tidings  came  unto  a  worthy  man  that 
hight  Mondrames,  and  he  assembled  all  his  people  for  the 
great  renown  he  had  heard  of  Joseph  ;  and  so  he  came 
into  the  land  of  Great  Britain  and  disherited  this  felon 
paynim  and  consumed  him,  and  therewith  delivered  Joseph 
out  of  prison.  And  after  that  all  the  people  were  turned 
to  the  Christian  faith. 


CHAPTER  XI 

How  Joseph  made  a  cross  on  the  white  shield  with  his 
blood,  and  how  Galahad  was  by  a  monk  brought  to 
a  tomb. 

NOT  long  after  that  Joseph  was  laid  in  his  deadly  bed. 
And  when  King  Evelake  saw  that  he  made  much  sorrow, 
and  said  :  For  thy  love  I  have  left  my  country,  and  sith 


240  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xin 

ye  shall  depart  out  of  this  world,  leave  me  some  token  of 
yours  that  I  may  think  on  you.  Joseph  said  :  That  will 
I  do  full  gladly  ;  now  bring  me  your  shield  that  I  took 
you  when  ye  went  into  battle  against  King  Tolleme. 
Then  Joseph  bled  sore  at  the  nose,  so  that  he  might  not 
by  no  mean  be  staunched.  And  there  upon  that  shield 
he  made  a  cross  of  his  own  blood.  Now  may  ye  see  a 
remembrance  that  I  love  you,  for  ye  shall  never  see  this 
shield  but  ye  shall  think  on  me,  and  it  shall  be  always  as 
fresh  as  it  is  now.  And  never  shall  man  bear  this  shield 
about  his  neck  but  he  shall  repent  it,  unto  the  time  that 
Galahad,  the  good  knight,  bear  it ;  and  the  last  of  my 
lineage  shall  have  it  about  his  neck,  that  shall  do  many 
marvellous  deeds.  Now,  said  King  Evelake,  where  shall 
I  put  this  shield,  that  this  worthy  knight  may  have  it  ? 
Ye  shall  leave  it  thereas  Nacien,  the  hermit,  shall  be  put 
after  his  death ;  for  thither  shall  that  good  knight  come 
the  fifteenth  day  after  that  he  shall  receive  the  order  of 
knighthood  :  and  so  that  day  that  they  set  is  this  time 
that  he  have  his  shield,  and  in  the  same  abbey  lieth 
Nacien,  the  hermit.  And  then  the  White  Knight 
vanished  away. 

Anon  as  the  squire  had  heard  these  words,  he  alighted 
off  his  hackney  and  kneeled  down  at  Galahad's  feet,  and 
prayed  him  that  he  might  go  with  him  till  he  had  made  him 
knight.  Yea,1  I  would  not  refuse  you.  Then  will  ye 
make  me  a  knight?  said  the  squire,  and  that  order,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  shall  be  well  set  in  me.  So  Sir  Galahad 
granted  him,  and  turned  again  unto  the  abbey  where  they 
came  from  ;  and  there  men  made  great  joy  of  Sir  Galahad. 
And  anon  as  he  was  alighted  there  was  a  monk  brought 
him  unto  a  tomb  in  a  churchyard,  where  there  was  such  a 
noise  that  who  that  heard  it  should  verily  nigh  be  mad  or 
lose  his  strength  :  and  sir,  they  said,  we  deem  it  is  a  fiend. 

1  Caxton  "  Yf,"  for  which  "  Ye  "  seems  the  easiest  emendation  that 
will  save  the  sense. 


CHAP,  xii         MEL1AS  IS  MADE  KNIGHT  241 


CHAPTER   XII 

Of  the  marvel  that  Sir  Galahad  saw  and  heard  in  the 
tomb,  and  how  he  made  Melias  knight. 

Now  lead  me  thither,  said  Galahad.  And  so  they  did,  all 
armed  save  his  helm.  Now,  said  the  good  man,  go  to 
the  tomb  and  lift  it  up.  So  he  did,  and  heard  a  great 
noise  ;  and  piteously  he  said,  that  all  men  might  hear  it : 
Sir  Galahad,  the  servant  of  Jesu  Christ,  come  thou  not 
nigh  me,  for  thou  shalt  make  me  go  again  there  where  I 
have  been  so  long.  But  Galahad  was  nothing  afraid,  but 
lifted  up  the  stone  ;  and  there  came  out  so  foul  a  smoke, 
and  after  he  saw  the  foulest  figure  leap  thereout  that  ever 
he  saw  in  the  likeness  of  a  man  ;  and  then  he  blessed  him 
and  wist  well  it  was  a  fiend.  Then  heard  he  a  voice  say  : 
Galahad,  I  see  there  environ  about  thee  so  many  angels 
that  my  power  may  not  dere  thee  Right  so  Sir  Galahad 
saw  a  body  all  armed  lie  in  that  tomb,  and  beside  him  a 
sword.  Now,  fair  brother,  said  Galahad,  let  us  remove 
this  body,  for  it  is  not  worthy  to  lie  in  this  churchyard, 
for  he  was  a  false  Christian  man.  And  therewith  they  all 
departed  and  went  to  the  abbey.  And  anon  as  he  was 
unarmed  a  good  man  came  and  set  him  down  by  him  and 
said  :  Sir,  I  shall  tell  you  what  betokeneth  all  that  ye  saw 
in  the  tomb ;  for  that  covered  body  betokeneth  the 
duresse  of  the  world,  and  the  great  sin  that  Our  Lord 
found  in  the  world.  For  there  was  such  wretchedness 
that  the  father  loved  not  the  son,  nor  the  son  loved  not 
the  father ;  and  that  was  one  of  the  causes  that  Our  Lord 
took  flesh  and  blood  of  a  clean  maiden,  for  our  sins  were 
so  great  at  that  time  that  well-nigh  all  was  wickedness. 
Truly,  said  Galahad,  I  believe  you  right  well. 

So  Sir  Galahad  rested  him  there  that  night ;  and  upon 

the  morn  he  made  the  squire  knight,  and  asked  him  his 

name,  and  of  what  kindred  he  was  come.     Sir,  said  he, 

men  calleth  me  Melias  de  Lile,  and  I  am  the  son  of  the 

VOL.  ii  R 


242  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOR  xm 

King  of  Denmark.  Now,  fair  sir,  said  Galahad,  sith 
that  ye  be  come  of  kings  and  queens,  now  look  that 
knighthood  be  well  set  in  you,  for  ye  ought  to  be  a  mirror 
unto  all  chivalry.  Sir,  said  Sir  Melias,  ye  say  sooth.  But, 
sir,  sithen  ye  have  made  me  a  knight  ye  must  of  right 
grant  me  my  first  desire  that  is  reasonable.  Ye  say  sooth, 
said  Galahad.  Melias  said :  Then  that  ye  will  suffer  me 
to  ride  with  you  in  this  quest  of  the  Sangreal,  till  that  some 
adventure  depart  us.  I  grant  you,  sir. 

Then  men  brought  Sir  Melias  his  armour  and  his  spear 
and  his  horse,  and  so  Sir  Galahad  and  he  rode  forth  all 
that  week  or  they  found  any  adventure.  And  then  upon  a 
Monday  in  the  morning,  as  they  were  departed  from  an 
abbey,  they  came  to  a  cross  which  departed  two  ways,  and 
in  that  cross  were  letters  written  that  said  thus :  Now,  ye 
knights  errant,  the  which  goeth  to  seek  knights  adven- 
turous, see  here  two  ways ;  that  one  way  defendeth  thee  that 
thou  ne  go  that  way,  for  he  shall  not  go  out  of  the  way 
again  but  if  he  be  a  good  man  and  a  worthy  knight ;  and 
if  thou  go  on  the  left  hand,  thou  shalt  not  lightly  there 
win  prowess,  for  thou  shalt  in  this  way  be  soon  assayed. 
Sir,  said  Melias  to  Galahad,  if  it  like  you  to  suffer  me  to 
take  the  way  on  the  left  hand,  tell  me,  for  there  I  shall  well 
prove  my  strength.  It  were  better,  said  Galahad,  ye  rode 
not  that  way,  for  I  deem  I  should  better  escape  in  that  way 
than  ye.  Nay,  my  lord,  I  pray  you  let  me  have  that 
adventure.  Take  it  in  God's  name,  said  Galahad. 


CHAPTER   XIII 

Of  the  adventure  that  Melias  had,  and  how  Galahad  re- 
venged him,  and  how  Melias  was  carried  into  an  abbey. 

AND  then  rode  Melias  into  an  old  forest,  and  therein  he 
rode  two  days  and  more.  And  then  he  came  into  a  fair 
meadow,  and  there  was  a  fair  lodge  of  boughs.  And  then 
he  espied  in  that  lodge  a  chair,  wherein  was  a  crown  of  gold, 


CHAP,  xni       OF  MELIAS  AND  GALAHAD  243 

subtly  wrought.  Also  there  were  cloths  covered  upon  the 
earth,  and  many  delicious  meats  set  thereon.  Sir  Melias 
beheld  this  adventure,  and  thought  it  marvellous,  but  he 
had  no  hunger,  but  of  the  crown  of  gold  he  took  much 
keep ;  and  therewith  he  stooped  down  and  took  it  up,  and 
rode  his  way  with  it.  And  anon  he  saw  a  knight  came 
riding  after  him  that  said :  Knight,  set  down  that  crown 
which  is  not  yours,  and  therefore  defend  you.  Then  Sir 
Melias  blessed  him  and  said  :  Fair  lord  of  heaven,  help  and 
save  thy  new-made  knight.  And  then  they  let  their  horses 
run  as  fast  as  they  might,  so  that  the  other  knight  smote 
Sir  Melias  through  hauberk  and  through  the  left  side,  that 
he  fell  to  the  earth  nigh  dead.  And  then  he  took  the 
crown  and  went  his  way ;  and  Sir  Melias  lay  still  and  had 
no  power  to  stir. 

In  the  meanwhile  by  fortune  there  came  Sir  Galahad 
and  found  him  there  in  peril  of  death.  And  then  he  said : 
Ah  Melias,  who  hath  wounded  you?  therefore  it  had  been 
better  to  have  ridden  the  other  way.  And  when  Sir 
Melias  heard  him  speak  :  Sir,  he  said,  for  God's  love  let 
me  not  die  in  this  forest,  but  bear  me  unto  the  abbey  here 
beside,  that  I  may  be  confessed  and  have  my  rights.  It 
shall  be  done,  said  Galahad,  but  where  is  he  that  hath 
wounded  you  ?  With  that  Sir  Galahad  heard  in  the  leaves 
cry  on  high :  Knight,  keep  thee  from  me.  Ah  sir,  said 
Melias,  beware,  for  that  is  he  that  hath  slain  me.  Sir 
Galahad  answered  :  Sir  knight,  come  on  your  peril.  Then 
either  dressed  to  other,  and  came  together  as  fast  as  their 
horses  might  run,  and  Galahad  smote  him  so  that  his  spear 
went  through  his  shoulder,  and  smote  him  down  off  his 
horse,  and  in  the  falling  Galahad's  spear  brake. 

With  that  came  out  another  knight  out  of  the  leaves, 
and  brake  a  spear  upon  Galahad  or  ever  he  might  turn 
him.  Then  Galahad  drew  out  his  sword  and  smote  off 
the  left  arm  of  him,  so  that  it  fell  to  the  earth.  And  then 
he  fled,  and  Sir  Galahad  pursued  fast  after  him.  And  then 
he  turned  again  unto  Sir  Melias,  and  there  he  alighted  and 
dressed  him  softly  on  his  horse  to-fore  him,  for  the  truncheon 
of  his  spear  was  in  his  body ;  and  Sir  Galahad  stert  up 


244  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xm 

behind  him,  and  held  him  in  his  arms,  and  so  brought  him 
to  the  abbey,  and  there  unarmed  him  and  brought  him 
to  his  chamber.  And  then  he  asked  his  Saviour.  And 
when  he  had  received  Him  he  said  unto  Sir  Galahad  :  Sir, 
let  death  come  when  it  pleaseth  him.  And  therewith  he 
drew  out  the  truncheon  of  the  spear  out  of  his  body  :  and 
then  he  swooned. 

Then  came  there  an  old  monk  which  sometime  had 
been  a  knight,  and  beheld  Sir  Melias.  And  anon  he  ran- 
sacked him  ;  and  then  he  said  unto  Sir  Galahad  :  I  shall 
heal  him  of  his  wound,  by  the  grace  of  God,  within  the 
term  of  seven  weeks.  Then  was  Sir  Galahad  glad,  and 
unarmed  him,  and  said  he  would  abide  there  three  days. 
And  then  he  asked  Sir  Melias  how  it  stood  with  him. 
Then  he  said  he  was  turned  unto  helping,  God  be 
thanked. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

How  Sir  Galahad  departed,  and  how  he  was  commanded 
to  go  to  the  Castle  of  Maidens  to  destroy  the  wicked 
custom. 

Now  will  I  depart,  said  Galahad,  for  I  have  much  on  hand, 
for  many  good  knights  be  full  busy  about  it,  and  this 
knight  and  I  were  in  the  same  quest  of  the  Sangreal.  Sir, 
said  a  good  man,  for  his  sin  he  was  thus  wounded  ;  and 
I  marvel,  said  the  good  man,  how  ye  durst  take  upon  you 
so  rich  a  thing  as  the  high  order  of  knighthood  without 
clean  confession,  and  that  was  the  cause  ye  were  bitterly 
wounded.  For  the  way  on  the  right  hand  betokeneth  the 
highway  of  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ,  and  the  way  of  a  good 
true  good  liver.  And  the  other  way  betokeneth  the  way 
of  sinners  and  of  misbelievers.  And  when  the  devil  saw 
your  pride  and  presumption,  for  to  take  you  in  the  quest 
of  the  Sangreal,  that  made  you  to  be  overthrown,  for  it 
may  not  be  enchieved  but  by  virtuous  living.  Also,  the 
writing  on  the  cross  was  a  signification  of  heavenly  deeds, 
and  of  knightly  deeds  in  God's  works,  and  no  knightly 


CHAP,  xv         THE  CASTLE  OF  MAIDENS  245 

deeds  in  worldly  works.  And  pride  is  head  of  all  deadly 
sins,  that  caused  this  knight  to  depart  from  Galahad.  And 
where  thou  tookest  the  crown  of  gold  thou  sinnest  in 
covetise  and  in  theft :  all  this  were  no  knightly  deeds. 
And  this  Galahad,  the  holy  knight,  the  which  fought  with 
the  two  knights,  the  two  knights  signify  the  two  deadly 
sins  which  were  wholly  in  this  knight  Melias  ;  and  they 
might  not  withstand  you,  for  ye  are  without  deadly  sin. 

Now  departed  Galahad  from  thence,  and  betaught  them 
all  unto  God.  Sir  Melias  said  :  My  lord  Galahad,  as  soon 
as  I  may  ride  I  shall  seek  you.  God  send  you  health,  said 
Galahad,  and  so  took  his  horse  and  departed,  and  rode 
many  journeys  forward  and  backward,  as  adventure  would 
lead  him.  And  at  the  last  it  happened  him  to  depart  from 
a  place  or  a  castle  the  which  was  named  Abblasoure  ;  and 
he  had  heard  no  mass,  the  which  he  was  wont  ever  to  hear 
or  ever  he  departed  out  of  any  castle  or  place,  and  kept 
that  for  a  custom.  Then  Sir  Galahad  came  unto  a  moun- 
tain where  he  found  an  old  chapel,  and  found  there 
nobody,  for  all,  all  was  desolate  ;  and  there  he  kneeled 
to-fore  the  altar,  and  besought  God  of  wholesome  counsel. 
So  as  he  prayed  he  heard  a  voice  that  said  :  Go  thou  now, 
thou  adventurous  knight,  to  the  Castle  of  Maidens,  and 
there  do  thou  away  the  wicked  customs. 


CHAPTER  XV 

How  Sir  Galahad  fought  with  the  knights  of  the  castle^  and 
destroyed  the  wicked  custom. 

WHEN  Sir  Galahad  heard  this  he  thanked  God,  and  took 
his  horse  ;  and  he  had  not  ridden  but  half  a  mile,  he  saw 
in  the  valley  afore  him  a  strong  castle  with  deep  ditches, 
and  there  ran  beside  it  a  fair  river  that  hight  Severn  ;  and 
there  he  met  with  a  man  of  great  age,  and  either  saluted 
other,  and  Galahad  asked  him  the  castle's  name.  Fair  sir, 
said  he,  it  is  the  Castle  of  Maidens.  That  is  a  cursed 


246  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xm 

castle,  said  Galahad,  and  all  they  that  be  conversant  there- 
in, for  all  pity  is  out  thereof,  and  all  hardiness  and  mischief 
is  therein.  Therefore,  I  counsel  you,  sir  knight,  to  turn 
again.  Sir,  said  Galahad,  wit  you  well  I  shall  not  turn 
again.  Then  looked  Sir  Galahad  on  his  arms  that  nothing 
failed  him,  and  then  he  put  his  shield  afore  him  ;  and  anon 
there  met  him  seven  fair  maidens,  the  which  said  unto 
him  :  Sir  knight,  ye  ride  here  in  a  great  folly,  for  ye  have 
the  water  to  pass  over.  Why  should  I  not  pass  the  water  ? 
said  Galahad.  So  rode  he  away  from  them  and  met  with 
a  squire  that  said  :  Knight,  those  knights  in  the  castle 
defy  you,  and  defenden  you  ye  go  no  further  till  that  they 
wit  what  ye  would.  Fair  sir,  said  Galahad,  I  come  for  to 
destroy  the  wicked  custom  of  this  castle.  Sir,  an  ye  will 
abide  by  that  ye  shall  have  enough  to  do.  Go  you  now, 
said  Galahad,  and  haste  my  needs. 

Then  the  squire  entered  into  the  castle.  And  anon 
after  there  came  out  of  the  castle  seven  knights,  and  all 
were  brethren.  And  when  they  saw  Galahad  they  cried  : 
Knight,  keep  thee,  for  we  assure  thee  nothing  but  death. 
Why,  said  Galahad,  will  ye  all  have  ado  with  me  at  once  ? 
Yea,  said  they,  thereto  mayst  thou  trust.  Then  Galahad 
put  forth  his  spear  and  smote  the  foremost  to  the  earth, 
that  near  he  brake  his  neck.  And  therewithal  the  other 
smote  him  on  his  shield  great  strokes,  so  that  their  spears 
brake.  Then  Sir  Galahad  drew  out  his  sword,  and  set 
upon  them  so  hard  that  it  was  marvel  to  se*^  it,  and  so 
through  great  force  he  made  them  to  forsake  the  field  ; 
and  Galahad  chased  them  till  they  entered  into  the  castle, 
and  so  passed  through  the  castle  at  another  gate. 

And  there  met  Sir  Galahad  an  old  man  clothed  in 
religious  clothing,  and  said  :  Sir,  have  here  the  keys  of 
this  castle.  Then  Sir  Galahad  opened  the  gates,  and  saw 
so  much  people  in  the  streets  that  he  might  not  number 
them,  and  all  said  :  Sir,  ye  be  welcome,  for  long  have  we 
abiden  here  our  deliverance.  Then  came  to  him  a  gentle- 
woman and  said  :  These  knights  be  fled,  but  they  will 
come  again  this  night,  and  here  to  begin  again  their  evil 
custom.  What  will  ye  that  I  shall  do  ?  said  Galahad. 


CH.  xv      OF  GALAHAD  AND  THE  KNIGHTS         247 

Sir,  said  the  gentlewoman,  that  ye  send  after  all  the 
knights  hither  that  hold  their  lands  of  this  castle,  and 
make  them  to  swear  for  to  use  the  customs  that  were  used 
heretofore  of  old  time.  I  will  well,  said  Galahad.  And 
there  she  brought  him  an  horn  of  ivory,  bounden  with 
gold  richly,  and  said  :  Sir,  blow  this  horn  which  will  be 
heard  two  mile  about  this  castle.  When  Sir  Galahad  had 
blown  the  horn  he  set  him  down  upon  a  bed. 

Then  came  a  priest  to  Galahad,  and  said  :  Sir,  it  is 
past  a  seven  year  agone  that  these  seven  brethren  came 
into  this  castle,  and  harboured  with  the  lord  of  this  castle, 
that  hight  the  Duke  Lianour,  and  he  was  lord  of  all  this 
country.  And  when  they  espied  the  duke's  daughter, 
that  was  a  full  fair  woman,  then  by  their  false  covin  they 
made  debate  betwixt  themself,  and  the  duke  of  his  good- 
ness would  have  departed  them,  and  there  they  slew  him 
and  his  eldest  son.  And  then  they  took  the  maiden  and 
the  treasure  of  the  castle.  And  then  by  great  force  they 
held  all  the  knights  of  this  castle  against  their  will  under 
their  obeissance,  and  in  great  service  and  truage,  robbing 
and  pilling  the  poor  common  people  of  all  that  they 
had.  So  it  happened  on  a  day  the  duke's  daughter  said  : 
Ye  have  done  unto  me  great  wrong  to  slay  mine  own 
father,  and  my  brother,  and  thus  to  hold  our  lands  :  not 
for  then,  she  said,  ye  shall  not  hold  this  castle  for  many 
years,  for  by  one  knight  ye  shall  be  overcome.  Thus  she 
prophesied  seven  years  agone.  Well,  said  the  seven 
knights,  sithen  ye  say  so,  there  shall  never  lady  nor  knight 
pass  this  castle  but  they  shall  abide  maugre  their  heads,  or 
die  therefore,  till  that  knight  be  come  by  whom  we  shall 
lose  this  castle.  And  therefore  is  it  called  the  Maidens' 
Castle,  for  they  have  devoured  many  maidens.  Now,  said 
Galahad,  is  she  here  for  whom  this  castle  was  lost  ?  Nay 
sir,  said  the  priest,  she  was  dead  within  these  three  nights 
after  that  she  was  thus  enforced  ;  and  sithen  have  they 
kept  her  younger  sister,  which  endureth  great  pains  with 
rfio  other  ladies. 

By  this  were  the  knights  of  the  country  come,  and 
then  he  made  them  do  homage  and  fealty  to  the  king's 


248  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xm 

daughter,  and  set  them  in  great  ease  of  heart.  And  in 
the  morn  there  came  one  to  Galahad  and  told  him  how 
that  Gawaine,  Gareth,  and  Uwaine,  had  slain  the  seven 
brethren.  I  suppose  well,  said  Sir  Galahad,  and  took  his 
armour  and  his  horse,  and  commended  them  unto  God. 


CHAPTER   XVI 

How  Sir  Gawaine  came  to  the  abbey  for  to  follow  Galahad, 
and  how  he  was  shriven  to  a  hermit. 

Now,  saith  the  tale,  after  Sir  Gawaine  departed,  he  rode 
many  journeys,  both  toward  and  froward.  And  at  the 
last  he  came  to  the  abbey  where  Sir  Galahad  had  the  white 
shield,  and  there  Sir  Gawaine  learned  the  way  to  sewe  after 
Sir  Galahad ;  and  so  he  rode  to  the  abbey  where  Melias 
lay  sick,  and  there  Sir  Melias  told  Sir  Gawaine  of  the 
marvellous  adventures  that  Sir  Galahad  did.  Certes,  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  I  am  not  happy  that  I  took  not  the  way  that 
he  went,  for  an  I  may  meet  with  him  I  will  not  depart 
from  him  lightly,  for  all  marvellous  adventures  Sir 
Galahad  enchieveth.  Sir,  said  one  of  the  monks,  he  will 
not  of  your  fellowship.  Why  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine.  Sir, 
said  he,  for  ye  be  wicked  and  sinful,  and  he  is  full  blessed. 
Right  as  they  thus  stood  talking  there  came  in  riding  Sir 
Gareth.  And  then  they  made  joy  either  of  other.  And 
on  the  morn  they  heard  mass,  and  so  departed.  And  by 
the  way  they  met  with  Sir  Uwaine  les  Avoutres,  and 
there  Sir  Uwaine  told  Sir  Gawaine  how  he  had  met  with 
none  adventure  sith  he  departed  from  the  court.  Nor 
we,  said  Sir  Gawaine.  And  either  promised  other  of  the 
three  knights  not  to  depart  while  they  were  in  that  quest, 
but  if  fortune  caused  it. 

So  they  departed  and  rode  by  fortune  till  that  they 
came  by  the  Castle  of  Maidens  ;  and  there  the  seven 
brethren  espied  the  three  knights,  and  said  :  Sithen,  we 
be  flemed  by  one  knight  from  this  castle,  we  shall  destroy 


CHAP,  xvi        OF  SIR  GAWAINE'S  QUEST  249 

all  the  knights  of  King  Arthur's  that  we  may  overcome, 
for  the  love  of  Sir  Galahad.  And  therewith  the  seven 
knights  set  upon  the  three  knights,  and  by  fortune  Sir 
Gawaine  slew  one  ot  the  brethren,  and  each  one  of  his 
fellows  slew  another,  and  so  slew  the  remnant.  And  then 
they  took  the  way  under  the  castle,  and  there  they  lost 
the  way  that  Sir  Galahad  rode,  and  there  everych  of 
them  departed  from  other  ;  and  Sir  Gawaine  rode  till  he 
came  to  an  hermitage,  and  there  he  found  the  good  man 
saying  his  evensong  of  Our  Lady  ;  and  there  Sir  Gawaine 
asked  harbour  for  charity,  and  the  good  man  granted  it 
him  gladly. 

Then  the  good  man  asked  him  what  he  was.  Sir, 
he  said,  I  am  a  knight  of  King  Arthur's  that  am  in  the 
quest  of  the  Sangreal,  and  my  name  is  Sir  Gawaine. 
Sir,  said  the  good  man,  I  would  wit  how  it  standeth 
betwixt  God  and  you.  Sir,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  will 
with  a  good  will  shew  you  my  life  if  it  please  you  ; 
and  there  he  told  the  hermit  how  a  monk  of  an  abbey 
called  me  wicked  knight.  He  might  well  say  it,  said 
the  hermit,  for  when  ye  were  first  made  knight  ye 
should  have  taken  you  to  knightly  deeds  and  virtuous 
living,  and  ye  have  done  the  contrary,  for  ye  have 
lived  mischievously  many  winters ;  and  Sir  Galahad  is 
a  maid  and  sinned  never,  and  that  is  the  cause  he  shall 
enchieve  where  he  goeth  that  ye  nor  none  such  shall 
not  attain,  nor  none  in  your  fellowship,  for  ye  have 
used  the  most  untruest  life  that  ever  I  heard  knight 
live.  For  certes  had  ye  not  been  so  wicked  as  ye  are, 
never  had  the  seven  brethren  been  slain  by  you  and 
your  two  fellows.  For  Sir  Galahad  himself  alone  beat 
them  all  seven  the  day  to-fore,  but  his  living  is  such 
he  shall  slay  no  man  lightly.  Also  I  may  say  you  the 
Castle  of  Maidens  betokeneth  the  good  souls  that  were 
in  prison  afore  the  Incarnation  of  Jesu  Christ.  And  the 
seven  knights  betoken  the  seven  deadly  sins  that  reigned 
that  time  in  the  world ;  and  I  may  liken  the  good 
Galahad  unto  the  son  of  the  High  Father,  that  lighted 
within  a  maid,  and  bought  all  the  souls  out  of  thrall, 


250  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xin 

so  did  Sir  Galahad  deliver  all   the  maidens  out  of  the 
woful  castle. 

Now,  Sir  Gawaine,  said  the  good  man,  thou  must 
do  penance  for  thy  sin.  Sir,  what  penance  shall  I  do  ? 
Such  as  I  will  give,  said  the  good  man.  Nay,  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  I  may  do  no  penance ;  for  we  knights 
adventurous  oft  suffer  great  woe  and  pain.  Well,  said 
the  good  man,  and  then  he  held  his  peace.  And  on  the 
morn  Sir  Gawaine  departed  from  the  hermit,  and  betaught 
him  unto  God.  And  by  adventure  he  met  with  Sir 
Aglovale  and  Sir  Griflet,  two  knights  of  the  Table 
Round.  And  they  two  rode  four  days  without  finding 
of  any  adventure,  and  at  the  fifth  day  they  departed. 
And  everych  held  as  fell  them  by  adventure.  Here 
leaveth  the  tale  of  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  fellows,  and  speak 
we  of  Sir  Galahad. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

How  Sir  Galahad  met  with  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Perci- 
vale,  and  smote  them  down,  and  departed  from  them. 

So  when  Sir  Galahad  was  departed  from  the  Castle  of 
Maidens  he  rode  till  he  came  to  a  waste  forest,  and 
there  he  met  with  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Percivale,  but 
they  knew  him  not,  for  he  was  new  disguised.  Right  so 
Sir  Launcelot,  his  father,  dressed  his  spear  and  brake  it 
upon  Sir  Galahad,  and  Galahad  smote  him  so  again 
that  he  smote  down  horse  and  man.  And  then  he 
drew  his  sword,  and  dressed  him  unto  Sir  Percivale,  and 
smote  him  so  on  the  helm,  that  it  rove  to  the  coif  of 
steel  ;  and  had  not  the  sword  swerved  Sir  Percivale  had 
been  slain,  and  with  the  stroke  he  fell  out  of  his  saddle. 
This  jousts  was  done  to-fore  the  hermitage  where  a 
recluse  dwelled.  And  when  she  saw  Sir  Galahad  ride, 
she  said  :  God  be  with  thee,  best  knight  of  the  world. 
Ah  certes,  said  she,  all  aloud  that  Launcelot  and  Percivale 


CH.XVII     OF  GALAHAD  AND  LAUNCELOT  251 

might  hear  it :  An  yonder  two  knights  had  known  thee 
as  well  as  I  do  they  would  not  have  encountered  with 
thee.  Then  Sir  Galahad  heard  her  say  so  he  was  adread 
to  be  known  :  therewith  he  smote  his  horse  with  his 
spurs  and  rode  a  great  pace  froward  them.  Then 
perceived  they  both  that  he  was  Galahad  ;  and  up  they 
gat  on  their  horses,  and  rode  fast  after  him,  but  in  a 
while  he  was  out  of  their  sight.  And  then  they  turned 
again  with  heavy  cheer.  Let  us  spere  some  tidings, 
said  Percivale,  at  yonder  recluse.  Do  as  ye  list,  said  Sir 
Launcelot. 

When  Sir  Percivale  came  to  the  recluse  she  knew  him 
well  enough,  and  Sir  Launcelot  both.  But  Sir  Launcelot 
rode  overthwart  and  endlong  in  a  wild  forest,  and  held 
no  path  but  as  wild  adventure  led  him.  And  at  the  last 
he  came  to  a  stony  cross  which  departed  two  ways  in 
waste  land ;  and  by  the  cross  was  a  stone  that  was  of 
marble,  but  it  was  so  dark  that  Sir  Launcelot  might 
not  wit  what  it  was.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  looked  by 
him,  and  saw  an  old  chapel,  and  there  he  weened  to 
have  found  people  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot  tied  his  horse  till 
a  tree,  and  there  he  did  off  his  shield  and  hung  it  upon 
a  tree,  and  then  went  to  the  chapel  door,  and  found 
it  waste  and  broken.  And  within  he  found  a  fair  altar, 
full  richly  arrayed  with  cloth  of  clean  silk,  and  there 
stood  a  fair  clean  candlestick,  which  bare  six  great 
candles,  and  the  candlestick  was  of  silver.  And  when 
Sir  Launcelot  saw  this  light  he  had  great  will  for  to  enter 
into  the  chapel,  but  he  could  find  no  place  where  he 
might  enter  ;  then  was  he  passing  heavy  and  dismayed. 
Then  he  returned  and  came  to  his  horse  and  did  off  his 
saddle  and  bridle,  and  let  him  pasture,  and  unlaced  his 
helm,  and  ungirt  his  sword,  and  laid  him  down  to  sleep 
upon  his  shield  to-fore  the  cross. 


252  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xm 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

How  Sir  Launcelot,  half  sleeping  and  half  waking,  saw  a 
sick  man  borne  in  a  litter,  and  how  he  was  healed  with 
the  Sangreal. 

AND  so  he  fell  asleep  ;  and  half  waking  and  sleeping  he 
saw  come  by  him  two  palfreys  all  fair  and  white,  the 
which  bare  a  litter,  therein  lying  a  sick  knight.  And 
when  he  was  nigh  the  cross  he  there  abode  still.  All  this 
Sir  Launcelot  saw  and  beheld,  for  he  slept  not  verily  ; 
and  he  heard  him  say  :  O  sweet  Lord,  when  shall  this 
sorrow  leave  me  ?  and  when  shall  the  holy  vessel  come  by 
me,  wherethrough  I  shall  be  blessed  ?  For  I  have  endured 
thus  long,  for  little  trespass.  A  full  great  while  com- 
plained the  knight  thus,  and  always  Sir  Launcelot  heard 
it.  With  that  Sir  Launcelot  saw  the  candlestick  with 
the  six  tapers  come  before  the  cross,  and  he  saw  nobody 
that  brought  it.  Also  there  came  a  table  of  silver,  and 
the  holy  vessel  of  the  Sangreal,  which  Launcelot  had 
seen  aforetime  in  King  Pescheour's  house.  And  there- 
with the  sick  knight  set  him  up,  and  held  up  both  his 
hands,  and  said  :  Fair  sweet  Lord,  which  is  here  within 
this  holy  vessel ;  take  heed  unto  me  that  I  may  be  whole 
of  this  malady.  And  therewith  on  his  hands  and  on 
his  knees  he  went  so  nigh  that  he  touched  the  holy 
vessel  and  kissed  it,  and  anon  he  was  whole  ;  and  then  he 
said  :  Lord  God,  I  thank  thee,  for  I  am  healed  of  this 
sickness. 

So  when  the  holy  vessel  had  been  there  a  great 
while  it  went  unto  the  chapel  with  the  chandelier  and 
the  light,  so  that  Launcelot  wist  not  where  it  was 
become ;  for  he  was  overtaken  with  sin  that  he  had 
no  power  to  rise  again  the  holy  vessel ;  wherefore  after 
that  many  men  said  of  him  shame,  but  he  took  repent- 
ance after  that.  Then  the  sick  knight  dressed  him  up 
and  kissed  the  cross  ;  anon  his  squire  brought  him  his 


^!  i*! 
.22  -W 


c  pq 


CHAP,  xix  OF  THE  SANGREAL  253 

arms,  and  asked  his  lord  how  he  did.  Certes,  said  he, 
I  thank  God  right  well,  through  the  holy  vessel  I  am 
healed.  But  I  have  marvel  of  this  sleeping  knight  that 
had  no  power  to  awake  when  this  holy  vessel  was 
brought  hither.  I  dare  right  well  say,  said  the  squire, 
that  he  dwelleth  in  some  deadly  sin  whereof  he  was 
never  confessed.  By  my  faith,  said  the  knight,  what- 
somever  he  be  he  is  unhappy,  for  as  I  deem  he  is  of  the 
fellowship  of  the  Round  Table,  the  which  is  entered 
into  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal.  Sir,  said  the  squire> 
here  I  have  brought  you  all  your  arms  save  your  helm 
and  your  sword,  and  therefore  by  mine  assent  now  may 
ye  take  this  knight's  helm  and  his  sword:  and  so  he 
did.  And  when  he  was  clean  armed  he  took  Sir 
Launcelot's  horse,  for  he  was  better  than  his  ;  and  so 
departed  they  from  the  cross. 


How  a  voice  spake  to  Sir  Launcelot,  and  how  he  found  his 
horse  and  his  helm  borne  away,  and  after  went  afoot. 

THEN  anon  Sir  Launcelot  waked,  and  set  him  up,  and 
bethought  him  what  he  had  seen  there,  and  whether  it 
were  dreams  or  not.  Right  so  heard  he  a  voice  that 
said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  more  harder  than  is  the  stone, 
and  more  bitter  than  is  the  wood,  and  more  naked 
and  barer  than  is  the  leaf  of  the  fig  tree  ;  therefore  go 
thou  from  hence,  and  withdraw  thee  from  this  holy 
place.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  heard  this  he  was 
passing  heavy  and  wist  not  what  to  do,  and  so  departed 
sore  weeping,  and  cursed  the  time  that  he  was  born. 
For  then  he  deemed  never  to  have  had  worship  more. 
For  those  words  went  to  his  heart,  till  that  he  knew 
wherefore  he  was  called  so.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  went 
to  the  cross  and  found  his  helm,  his  sword,  and  his 
horse  taken  away.  And  then  he  called  himself  a  very 


254  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xm 

wretch,  and  most  unhappy  of  all  knights  ;  and  there  he 
said :  My  sin  and  my  wickedness  have  brought  me  unto 
great  dishonour.  For  when  I  sought  worldly  adventures 
for  worldly  desires,  I  ever  enchieved  them  and  had  the 
better  in  every  place,  and  never  was  I  discomfit  in  no 
quarrel,  were  it  right  or  wrong.  And  now  I  take  upon 
me  the  adventures  of  holy  things,  and  now  I  see  and 
understand  that  mine  old  sin  hindereth  me  and  shameth 
me,  so  that  I  had  no  power  to  stir  nor  speak  when  the 
holy  blood  appeared  afore  me.  So  thus  he  sorrowed  till 
it  was  day,  and  heard  the  fowls  sing  :  then  somewhat  he 
was  comforted.  But  when  Sir  Launcelot  missed  his  horse 
and  his  harness  then  he  wist  well  God  was  displeased 
with  him. 

Then  he  departed  from  the  cross  on  foot  into  a  forest ; 
and  so  by  prime  he  came  to  an  high  hill,  and  found  an 
hermitage  and  a  hermit  therein  which  was  going  unto 
mass.  And  then  Launcelot  kneeled  down  and  cried  on 
Our  Lord  mercy  for  his  wicked  works.  So  when  mass 
was  done  Launcelot  called  him,  and  prayed  him  for 
charity  for  to  hear  his  life.  With  a  good  will,  said  the 
good  man.  Sir,  said  he,  be  ye  of  King  Arthur's  court 
and  of  the  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table  ?  Yea  forsooth, 
and  my  name  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  that  hath  been 
right  well  said  of,  and  now  my  good  fortune  is  changed, 
for  I  am  the  most  wretch  of  the  world.  The  hermit 
beheld  him  and  had  marvel  how  he  was  so  abashed.  Sir, 
said  the  hermit,  ye  ought  to  thank  God  more  than  any 
knight  living,  for  He  hath  caused  you  to  have  more 
worldly  worship  than  any  knight  that  now  liveth.  And 
for  your  presumption  to  take  upon  you  in  deadly  sin  for 
to  be  in  His  presence,  where  His  flesh  and  His  blood  was, 
that  caused  you  ye  might  not  see  it  with  worldly  eyes; 
for  He  will  not  appear  where  such  sinners  be,  but  if  it  be 
unto  their  great  hurt  and  unto  their  great  shame  ;  and 
there  is  no  knight  living  now  that  ought  to  give  God  so 
great  thank  as  ye,  for  He  hath  given  you  beauty,  seemli- 
ness,  and  great  strength  above  all  other  knights  ;  and 
therefore  ye  are  the  more  beholding  unto  God  than  any 


CH.XX      HOW  LAUNCELOT  WAS  SHRIVEN          255 

other  man,  to  love  Him  and  dread  Him,  for  your 
strength  and  manhood  will  little  avail  you  an  God  be 
against  you. 


CHAPTER   XX 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  shriven,  and  what  sorrow  he  made, 
and  of  the  good  ensamples  which  were  shewed  him. 

THEN  Sir  Launcelot  wept  with  heavy  cheer,  and  said  : 
Now  I  know  well  ye  say  me  sooth.  Sir,  said  the  good 
man,  hide  none  old  sin  from  me.  Truly,  said  Sir  Launce- 
lot, that  were  me  full  loath  to  discover.  For  this  fourteen 
year  I  never  discovered  one  thing  that  I  have  used,  and 
that  may  I  now  wite  my  shame  and  my  disadventure. 
And  then  he  told  there  that  good  man  all  his  life.  And 
how  he  had  loved  a  queen  unmeasurably  and  out  of 
measure  long.  And  all  my  great  deeds  of  arms  that  I 
have  done,  I  did  for  the  most  part  for  the  queen's  sake, 
and  for  her  sake  would  I  do  battle  were  it  right  or  wrong ; 
and  never  did  I  battle  all  only  for  God's  sake,  but  for  to 
win  worship  and  to  cause  me  to  be  the  better  beloved, 
and  little  or  nought  I  thanked  God  of  it.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  said  :  I  pray  you  counsel  me.  I  will  counsel 
you,  said  the  hermit,  if  ye  will  ensure  me  that  ye  will 
never  come  in  that  queen's  fellowship  as  much  as  ye  may 
forbear.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  promised  him  he  nold, 
by  the  faith  of  his  body.  Look  that  your  heart  and  your 
mouth  accord,  said  the  good  man,  and  I  shall  ensure  you 
ye  shall  have  more  worship  than  ever  ye  had. 

Holy  father,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  marvel  of  the  voice 
that  said  to  me  marvellous  words,  as  ye  have  heard  to- 
forehand.  Have  ye  no  marvel,  said  the  good  man, 
thereof,  for  it  seemeth  well  God  loveth  you  ;  for  men 
may  understand  a  stone  is  hard  of  kind,  and  namely  one 
more  than  another ;  and  that  is  to  understand  by  thee,  Sir 
Launcelot,  for  thou  wilt  not  leave  thy  sin  for  no  goodness 
that  God  hath  sent  thee;  therefore  thou  art  more  than 


256  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xm 

any  stone,  and  never  wouldst  thou  be  made  nesh  nor  by 
water  nor  by  fire,  and  that  is  the  heat  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
may  not  enter  in  thee.  Now  take  heed,  in  all  the  world 
men  shall  not  find  one  knight  to  whom  Our  Lord  hath 
given  so  much  of  grace  as  He  hath  given  you,  for  He 
hath  given  you  fairness  with  seemliness,  He  hath  given 
thee  wit,  discretion  to  know  good  from  evil,  He  hath 
given  thee  prowess  and  hardiness,  and  given  thee  to  work 
so  largely  that  thou  hast  had  at  all  days  the  better  where- 
somever  thou  came  ;  and  now  Our  Lord  will  suffer  thee 
no  longer,  but  that  thou  shalt  know  Him  whether  thou 
wilt  or  nylt.  And  why  the  voice  called  thee  bitterer  than 
wood,  for  where  overmuch  sin  dwelleth,  there  may  be  but 
little  sweetness,  wherefore  thou  art  likened  to  an  old 
rotten  tree. 

Now  have  I  shewed  thee  why  thou  art  harder  than  the 
stone  and  bitterer  than  the  tree.  Now  shall  I  shew  thee 
why  thou  art  more  naked  and  barer  than  the  fig  tree. 
It  befell  that  Our  Lord  on  Palm  Sunday  preached  in 
Jerusalem,  and  there  He  found  in  the  people  that  all 
hardness  was  harboured  in  them,  and  there  He  found  in 
all  the  town  not  one  that  would  harbour  him.  And  then 
He  went  without  the  town,  and  found  in  midst  of  the 
way  a  fig  tree,  the  which  was  right  fair  and  well  garnished 
of  leaves,  but  fruit  had  it  none.  Then  Our  Lord  cursed 
the  tree  that  bare  no  fruit ;  that  betokeneth  the  fig  tree 
unto  Jerusalem,  that  had  leaves  and  no  fruit.  So  thou, 
Sir  Launcelot,  when  the  Holy  Grail  was  brought  afore 
thee,  He  found  in  thee  no  fruit,  nor  good  thought  nor 
good  will,  and  defouled  with  lechery.  Certes,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  all  that  you  have  said  is  true,  and  from  hence- 
forward I  cast  me,  by  the  grace  of  God,  never  to  be  so 
wicked  as  I  have  been,  but  as  to  follow  knighthood  and 
to  do  feats  of  arms. 

Then  the  good  man  enjoined  Sir  Launcelot  such 
penance  as  he  might  do  and  to  sewe  knighthood,  and  so 
assoiled  him,  and  prayed  Sir  Launcelot  to  abide  with  him 
all  that  day.  I  will  well,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  I  have 
neither  helm,  nor  horse,  nor  sword.  As  for  that,  said  the 


CHAP,  xx     OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT'S  SORROW  257 

good  man,  I  shall  help  you  or  to-morn  at  even  of  an  horse, 
and  all  that  longed  unto  you.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot 
repented  him  greatly. 

leafcetfj  off  tfje  jjistors  of  Sir  Haimcelot  &ntr  fjere 
follofoetjj  of  Sir  $mibale  to  (Kalis,  iwjicjj  is  tje 
fourteenth 


VOL.  TI 


BOOK  XIV 


CHAPTER  I 

How  Sir  Percivale  came  to  a  recluse  and  asked  counsel,  and 
how  she  told  him  that  she  was  his  aunt. 

Now  saith  the  tale,  that  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  ridden 
after  Sir  Galahad,  the  which  had  all  these  adventures 
above  said,  Sir  Percivale  turned  again  unto  the  recluse, 
where  he  deemed  to  have  tidings  of  that  knight  that 
Launcelot  followed.  And  so  he  kneeled  at  her  window, 
and  the  recluse  opened  it  and  asked  Sir  Percivale  what  he 
would.  Madam,  he  said,  I  am  a  knight  of  King  Arthur's 
court,  and  my  name  is  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis.  When  the 
recluse  heard  his  name  she  had  great  joy  of  him,  for 
mickle  she  had  loved  him  to-fore  any  other  knight,  for  she 
ought  to  do  so,  for  she  was  his  aunt.  And  then  she 
commanded  the  gates  to  be  opened,  and  there  he  had  all 
the  cheer  that  she  might  make  him,  and  all  that  was  in 
her  power  was  at  his  commandment. 

So  on  the  morn  Sir  Percivale  went  to  the  recluse  and 
asked  her  if  she  knew  that  knight  with  the  white  shield. 
Sir,  said  she,  why  would  ye  wit  ?  Truly,  madam,  said  Sir 
Percivale,  I  shall  never  be  well  at  ease  till  that  I  know  of 
that  knight's  fellowship,  and  that  I  may  fight  with  him, 
for  I  may  not  leave  him  so  lightly,  for  I  have  the  shame 
yet.  Ah,  Percivale,  said  she,  would  ye  fight  with  him  ? 
I  see  well  ye  have  great  will  to  be  slain  as  your  father 
was,  through  outrageousness.  Madam,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
it  seemeth  by  your  words  that  ye  know  me.  Yea,  said 


CH.  ii    OF  MERLIN  AND  THE  ROUND  TABLE     259 

she,  I  well  ought  to  know  you,  for  I  am  your  aunt, 
although  I  be  in  a  priory  place.  For  some  called  me 
sometime  the  Queen  of  the  Waste  Lands,  and  I  was  called 
the  queen  of  most  riches  in  the  world  ;  and  it  pleased 
me  never  my  riches  so  much  as  doth  my  poverty.  Then 
Sir  Percivale  wept  for  very  pity  when  that  he  knew  it 
was  his  aunt.  Ah,  fair  nephew,  said  she,  when  heard  ye 
tidings  of  your  mother  ?  Truly,  said  he,  I  heard  none  of 
her,  but  I  dream  of  her  much  in  my  sleep  ;  and  therefore 
I  wot  not  whether  she  be  dead  or  alive.  Certes,  fair 
nephew,  said  she,  your  mother  is  dead,  for  after  your 
departing  from  her  she  took  such  a  sorrow  that  anon, 
after  she  was  confessed,  she  died.  Now,  God  have  mercy 
on  her  soul,  said  Sir  Percivale,  it  sore  forthinketh  me  ; 
but  all  we  must  change  the  life.  Now,  fair  aunt,  tell  me 
what  is  the  knight  ?  I  deem  it  be  he  that  bare  the  red 
arms  on  Whitsunday.  Wit  you  well,  said  she,  that  this 
is  he,  for  otherwise  ought  he  not  to  do,  but  to  go  in  red 
arms  ;  and  that  same  knight  hath  no  peer,  for  he  worketh 
all  by  miracle,  and  he  shall  never  be  overcome  of  none 
earthly  man's  hand. 


CHAPTER  II 

How  Merlin  likened  the  Round  Table  to  the  world,  and  how 
the  knights  that  should  achieve  the  Sangreal  should  be 
known. 

ALSO  Merlin  made  the  Round  Table  in  tokening  of  round- 
ness of  the  world,  for  by  the  Round  Table  is  the  world 
signified  by  right,  for  all  the  world,  Christian  and  heathen, 
repair  unto  the  Round  Table  ;  and  when  they  are  chosen 
to  be  of  the  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table  they  think  them 
more  blessed  and  more  in  worship  than  if  they  had  gotten 
half  the  world  ;  and  ye  have  seen  that  they  have  lost  their 
fathers  and  their  mothers,  and  all  their  kin,  and  their  wives 
and  their  children,  for  to  be  of  your  fellowship.  It  is  well 


260  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xiv 

seen  by  you  ;  for  since  ye  have  departed  from  your  mother 
ye  would  never  see  her,  ye  found  such  fellowship  at  the 
Round  Table.  When  Merlin  had  ordained  the  Round 
Table  he  said,  by  them  which  should  be  fellows  of  the 
Round  Table  the  truth  of  the  Sangreal  should  be  well 
known.  And  men  asked  him  how  men  might  know  them 
that  should  best  do  and  to  enchieve  the  Sangreal  ?  Then 
he  said  there  should  be  three  white  bulls  that  should  enchieve 
it,  and  the  two  should  be  maidens,  and  the  third  should  be 
chaste.  And  that  one  of  the  three  should  pass  his  father 
as  much  as  the  lion  passeth  the  leopard,  both  of  strength 
and  hardiness. 

They  that  heard  Merlin  say  so  said  thus  unto  Merlin  : 
Sithen  there  shall  be  such  a  knight,  thou  shouldest  ordain 
by  thy  crafts  a  siege,  that  no  man  should  sit  in  it  but  he 
all  only  that  shall  pass  all  other  knights.  Then  Merlin 
answered  that  he  would  do  so.  And  then  he  made  the 
Siege  Perilous,  in  the  which  Galahad  sat  in  at  his  meat  on 
Whitsunday  last  past.  Now,  madam,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
so  much  have  I  heard  of  you  that  by  my  good  will  I  will 
never  have  ado  with  Sir  Galahad  but  by  way  of  kindness  ; 
and  for  God's  love,  fair  aunt,  can  ye  teach  me  some  way 
where  I  may  find  him  ?  for  much  would  I  love  the  fellow- 
ship of  him.  Fair  nephew,  said  she,  ye  must  ride  unto  a 
castle  the  which  is  called  Goothe,  where  he  hath  a  cousin- 
germain,  and  there  may  ye  be  lodged  this  night.  And  as 
he  teacheth  you,  seweth  after  as  fast  as  ye  can  ;  and  if  he 
can  tell  you  no  tidings  of  him,  ride  straight  unto  the  Castle 
of  Carbonek,  where  the  maimed  king  is  there  lying,  for 
there  shall  ye  hear  true  tidings  of  him. 


CHAPTER   III 

How  Sir  Percivale  came  into  a  monastery,  where  he  found 
King  Evelake,  which  was  an  old  man. 

THEN  departed  Sir  Percivale  from  his  aunt,  either  making 
great  sorrow.     And  so  he  rode  till  evensong  time.     And 


CH.  in     HOW  PERCIVALE  FOUND  EVELAKE       261 

then  he  heard  a  clock  smite  ;  and  then  he  was  ware  of  an 
house  closed  well  with  walls  and  deep  ditches,  and  there  he 
knocked  at  the  gate  and  was  let  in,  and  he  alighted  and 
was  led  unto  a  chamber,  and  soon  he  was  unarmed.  And 
there  he  had  right  good  cheer  all  that  night ;  and  on  the 
morn  he  heard  his  mass,  and  in  the  monastery  he  found  a 
priest  ready  at  the  altar.  And  on  the  right  side  he  saw  a 
pew  closed  with  iron,  and  behind  the  altar  he  saw  a  rich 
bed  and  a  fair,  as  of  cloth  of  silk  and  gold. 

Then  Sir  Percivale  espied  that  therein  was  a  man  or  a 
woman,  for  the  visage  was  covered  ;  then  he  left  off  his 
looking  and  heard  his  service.  And  when  it  came  to  the 
sacring,  he  that  lay  within  that  parclos  dressed  him  up,  and 
uncovered  his  head  ;  and  then  him  beseemed  a  passing  old 
man,  and  he  had  a  crown  of  gold  upon  his  head,  and  his 
shoulders  were  naked  and  unbilled  unto  his  navel.  And 
then  Sir  Percivale  espied  his  body  was  full  of  great  wounds, 
both  on  the  shoulders,  arms,  and  visage.  And  ever  he  held 
up  his  hands  against  Our  Lord's  body,  and  cried  :  Fair, 
sweet  Father,  Jesu  Christ,  forget  not  me.  And  so  he  lay 
down,  but  always  he  was  in  his  prayers  and  orisons  ;  and 
him  seemed  to  be  of  the  age  of  three  hundred  winter.  And 
when  the  mass  was  done  the  priest  took  Our  Lord's  body 
and  bare  it  to  the  sick  king.  And  when  he  had  used  it  he 
did  off  his  crown,  and  commanded  the  crown  to  be  set  on 
the  altar. 

Then  Sir  Percivale  asked  one  of  the  brethren  what  he 
was.  Sir,  said  the  good  man,  ye  have  heard  much  of 
Joseph  of  Aramathie,  how  he  was  sent  by  Jesu  Christ  into 
this  land  for  to  teach  and  preach  the  holy  Christian  faith  ; 
and  therefore  he  suffered  many  persecutions  the  which  the 
enemies  of  Christ  did  unto  him,  and  in  the  city  of  Sarras 
he  converted  a  king  whose  name  was  Evelake.  And  so 
this  king  came  with  Joseph  into  this  land,  and  ever  he  was 
busy  to  be  thereas  the  Sangreal  was  ;  and  on  a  time  he 
nighed  it  so  nigh  that  Our  Lord  was  displeased  with  him, 
but  ever  he  followed  it  more  and  more,  till  God  struck 
him  almost  blind.  Then  this  king  cried  mercy,  and 
said  :  Fair  Lord,  let  me  never  die  till  the  good  knight 


262  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xiv 

of  my  blood  of  the  ninth  degree  be  come,  that  I  may 
see  him  openly  that  he  shall  enchieve  the  Sangreal,  that 
I  may  kiss  him. 


CHAPTER   IV 

How  Sir  Per  civ  ale  saw  many  men  of  arms  bearing  a  dead 
knight,  and  how  he  fought  against  them. 

WHEN  the  king  thus  had  made  his  prayers  he  heard  a  voice 
that  said  :  Heard  be  thy  prayers,  for  thou  shalt  not  die  till 
he  have  kissed  thee.  And  when  that  knight  shall  come 
the  clearness  of  your  eyes  shall  come  again,  and  thou  shalt 
see  openly,  and  thy  wounds  shall  be  healed,  and  erst  shall 
they  never  close.  And  this  befell  of  King  Evelake,  and 
this  same  king  hath  lived  this  three  hundred  winters  this 
holy  life,  and  men  say  the  knight  is  in  the  court  that  shall 
heal  him.  Sir,  said  the  good  man,  I  pray  you  tell  me  what 
knight  that  ye  be,  and  if  ye  be  of  King  Arthur's  court  and 
of  the  Table  Round.  Yea  forsooth,  said  he,  and  my  name 
is  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis.  And  when  the  good  man  under- 
stood his  name  he  made  great  joy  of  him. 

And  then  Sir  Percivale  departed  and  rode  till  the  hour 
of  noon.  And  he  met  in  a  valley  about  a  twenty  men  of 
arms,  which  bare  in  a  bier  a  knight  deadly  slain.  And 
when  they  saw  Sir  Percivale  they  asked  him  of  whence  he 
was.  And  he  answered :  Of  the  court  of  King  Arthur. 
Then  they  cried  all  at  once  :  Slay  him.  Then  Sir  Percivale 
smote  the  first  to  the  earth  and  his  horse  upon  him.  And 
then  seven  of  the  knights  smote  upon  his  shield  all  at  once, 
and  the  remnant  slew  his  horse  so  that  he  fell  to  the  earth. 
So  had  they  slain  him  or  taken  him  had  not  the  good  knight, 
Sir  Galahad,  with  the  red  arms  come  there  by  adventure 
into  those  parts.  And  when  he  saw  all  those  knights  upon 
one  knight  he  cried  :  Save  me  that  knight's  life.  And  then 
he  dressed  him  toward  the  twenty  men  of  arms  as  fast  as 
his  horse  might  drive,  with  his  spear  in  the  rest,  and  smote 
the  foremost  horse  and  man  to  the  earth.  And  when  his 


CH.  iv    PERCIVALE  AND  THE  MEN  OF  ARMS      263 

spear  was  broken  he  set  his  hand  to  his  sword,  and  smote 
on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand  that  it  was  marvel 
to  see,  and  at  every  stroke  he  smote  one  down  or  put  him 
to  a  rebuke,  so  that  they  would  fight  no  more  but  fled  to 
a  thick  forest,  and  Sir  Galahad  followed  them. 

And  when  Sir  Percivale  saw  him  chase  them  so,  he 
made  great  sorrow  that  his  horse  was  away.  And  then 
he  wist  well  it  was  Sir  Galahad.  And  then  he  cried  aloud  : 
Ah  fair  knight,  abide  and  suffer  me  to  do  thankings  unto 
thee,  for  much  have  ye  done  for  me.  But  ever  Sir  Galahad 
rode  so  fast  that  at  the  last  he  passed  out  of  his  sight.  And 
as  fast  as  Sir  Percivale  might  he  went  after  him  on  foot, 
crying.  And  then  he  met  with  a  yeoman  riding  upon  an 
hackney,  the  which  led  in  his  hand  a  great  steed  blacker 
than  any  bear.  Ah,  fair  friend,  said  Sir  Percivale,  as  ever 
I  may  do  for  you,  and  to  be  your  true  knight  in  the  first 
place  ye  will  require  me,  that  ye  will  lend  me  that  black 
steed,  that  I  might  overtake  a  knight  the  which  rideth 
afore  me.  Sir  knight,  said  the  yeoman,  I  pray  you  hold 
me  excused  of  that,  for  that  I  may  not  do.  For  wit  ye 
well,  the  horse  is  such  a  man's  horse,  that  an  I  lent  it  you 
or  any  man,  that  he  would  slay  me.  Alas,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
I  had  never  so  great  sorrow  as  I  have  had  for  losing  of 
yonder  knight.  Sir,  said  the  yeoman,  I  am  right  heavy 
for  you,  for  a  good  horse  would  beseem  you  well ;  but  I 
dare  not  deliver  you  this  horse  but  if  ye  would  take  him 
from  me.  That  will  I  not  do,  said  Sir  Percivale.  And  so 
they  departed ;  and  Sir  Percivale  set  him  down  under  a  tree, 
and  made  sorrow  out  of  measure.  And  as  he  was  there, 
there  came  a  knight  riding  on  the  horse  that  the  yeoman 
led,  and  he  was  clean  armed. 


264  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xiv 


CHAPTER   V 

How  a  yeoman  desired  him  to  get  again  an  horse,  and  how 
Sir  Percivale' s  hackney  was  slain,  and  how  he  gat  an 
horse. 

AND  anon  the  yeoman  came  pricking  after  as  fast  as  ever 
he  might,  and  asked  Sir  Percivale  if  he  saw  any  knight 
riding  on  his  black  steed.  Yea,  sir,  forsooth,  said  he  ; 
why,  sir,  ask  ye  me  that?  Ah,  sir,  that  steed  he  hath 
benome  me  with  strength  ;  wherefore  my  lord  will  slay 
me  in  what  place  he  findeth  me.  Well,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
what  wouldst  thou  that  I  did  ?  Thou  seest  well  that  I  am 
on  foot,  but  an  I  had  a  good  horse  I  should  bring  him 
soon  again.  Sir,  said  the  yeoman,  take  mine  hackney  and 
do  the  best  ye  can,  and  I  shall  sewe  you  on  foot  to  wit 
how  that  ye  shall  speed.  Then  Sir  Percivale  alighted 
upon  that  hackney,  and  rode  as  fast  as  he  might,  and  at 
the  last  he  saw  that  knight.  And  then  he  cried  :  Knight, 
turn  again  ;  and  he  turned  and  set  his  spear  against  Sir 
Percivale,  and  he  smote  the  hackney  in  the  midst  of  the 
breast  that  he  fell  down  dead  to  the  earth,  and  there  he 
had  a  great  fall,  and  the  other  rode  his  way.  And  then 
Sir  Percivale  was  wood  wroth,  and  cried  :  Abide,  wicked 
knight ;  coward  and  false-hearted  knight,  turn  again  and 
fight  with  me  on  foot.  But  he  answered  not,  but  passed 
on  his  way. 

When  Sir  Percivale  saw  he  would  not  turn  he  cast 
away  his  helm  and  sword,  and  said  :  Now  am  I  a  very 
wretch,  cursed  and  most  unhappy  above  all  other  knights. 
So  in  this  sorrow  he  abode  all  that  day  till  it  was  night ; 
and  then  he  was  faint,  and  laid  him  down  and  slept  till  it 
was  midnight ;  and  then  he  awaked  and  saw  afore  him  a 
woman  which  said  unto  him  right  fiercely  :  Sir  Percivale, 
what  dost  thou  here?  He  answered,  I  do  neither  good 
nor  great  ill.  If  thou  wilt  ensure  me,  said  she,  that  thou 
wilt  fulfil  my  will  when  I  summon  thee,  I  shall  lend  thee 


When  the  mass  was  done  the  priest  took  Our  Lord's  body  and  bare  it  to  the 
sick  king."— Book  XIV.,  Chapter  III. 


CH.  vi  HOW  A  LION  AND  SERPENT  FOUGHT     265 

mine  own  horse  which  shall  bear  thee  whither  thou  wilt. 
Sir  Percivale  was  glad  of  her  proffer,  and  ensured  her  to 
fulfil  all  her  desire.  Then  abide  me  here,  and  I  shall  go 
and  fetch  you  an  horse.  And  so  she  came  soon  again 
and  brought  an  horse  with  her  that  was  inly  black.  When 
Percivale  beheld  that  horse  he  marvelled  that  it  was  so 
great  and  so  well  apparelled  ;  and  not  for  then  he  was  so 
hardy,  and  he  leapt  upon  him,  and  took  none  heed  of 
himself.  And  so  anon  as  he  was  upon  him  he  thrust  to 
him  with  his  spurs,  and  so  he  rode  by  a  forest,  and  the 
moon  shone  clear.  And  within  an  hour  and  less  he  bare 
him  four  days'  journey  thence,  until  he  came  to  a  rough 
water  the  which  roared,  and  his  horse  would  have  borne 
him  into  it. 


CHAPTER  VI 

Of  the  great  danger  that  Sir  Percivale  was  in  by  his  horse, 
and  how  he  saw  a  serpent  and  a  lion  fight. 

AND  when  Sir  Percivale  came  nigh  the  brim,  and  saw  the 
water  so  boistous,  he  doubted  to  overpass  it.  And  then 
he  made  a  sign  of  the  cross  in  his  forehead.  When  the 
fiend  felt  him  so  charged  he  shook  off  Sir  Percivale,  and 
he  went  into  the  water  crying  and  roaring,  making  great 
sorrow,  and  it  seemed  unto  him  that  the  water  brent. 
Then  Sir  Percivale  perceived  it  was  a  fiend,  the  which 
would  have  brought  him  unto  his  perdition.  Then  he  com- 
mended himself  unto  God,  and  prayed  Our  Lord  to  keep 
him  from  all  such  temptations  ;  and  so  he  prayed  all  that 
night  till  on  the  morn  that  it  was  day  ;  then  he  saw  that 
he  was  in  a  wild  mountain  the  which  was  closed  with  the 
sea  nigh  all  about,  that  he  might  see  no  land  about  him 
which  might  relieve  him,  but  wild  beasts. 

And  then  he  went  into  a  valley,  and  there  he  saw  a 
young  serpent  bring  a  young  lion  by  the  neck,  and  so  he 
came  by  Sir  Percivale.  With  that  came  a  great  lion 


266  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xiv 

crying  and  roaring  after  the  serpent.  And  as  fast  as  Sir 
Percivale  saw  this  he  marvelled,  and  hied  him  thither,  but 
anon  the  lion  had  overtaken  the  serpent  and  began  battle 
with  him.  And  then  Sir  Percivale  thought  to  help  the 
lion,  for  he  was  the  more  natural  beast  of  the  two  ;  and 
therewith  he  drew  his  sword,  and  set  his  shield  afore  him, 
and  there  he  gave  the  serpent  such  a  buffet  that  he  had 
a  deadly  wound.  When  the  lion  saw  that,  he  made  no 
resemblaunt  to  fight  with  him,  but  made  him  all  the 
cheer  that  a  beast  might  make  a  man.  Then  Percivale 
perceived  that,  and  cast  down  his  shield  which  was  broken  ; 
and  then  he  did  off  his  helm  for  to  gather  wind,  for  he 
was  greatly  enchafed  with  the  serpent :  and  the  lion  went 
alway  about  him  fawning  as  a  spaniel.  And  then  he 
stroked  him  on  the  neck  and  on  the  shoulders.  And  then 
he  thanked  God  of  the  fellowship  of  that  beast.  And 
about  noon  the  lion  took  his  little  whelp  and  trussed  him 
and  bare  him  there  he  came  from. 

Then  was  Sir  Percivale  alone.  And  as  the  tale  telleth, 
he  was  one  of  the  men  of  the  world  at  that  time  which 
most  believed  in  Our  Lord  Jesu  Christ,  for  in  those  days 
there  were  but  few  folks  that  believed  in  God  perfectly. 
For  in  those  days  the  son  spared  not  the  father  no  more 
than  a  stranger.  And  so  Sir  Percivale  comforted  himself 
in  our  Lord  Jesu,  and  besought  God  no  temptation  should 
bring  him  out  of  God's  service,  but  to  endure  as  his  true 
champion.  Thus  when  Sir  Percivale  had  prayed  he  saw 
the  lion  come  toward  him,  and  then  he  couched  down  at 
his  feet.  And  so  all  that  night  the  lion  and  he  slept 
together  ;  and  when  Sir  Percivale  slept  he  dreamed  a 
marvellous  dream,  that  there  two  ladies  met  with  him, 
and  that  one  sat  upon  a  lion,  and  that  other  sat  upon  a 
serpent,  and  that  one  of  them  was  young,  and  the  other 
was  old  ;  and  the  youngest  him  thought  said  :  Sir  Perci- 
vale, my  lord  saluteth  thee,  and  sendeth  thee  word  that 
thou  array  thee  and  make  thee  ready,  for  to-morn  thou 
must  fight  with  the  strongest  champion  of  the  world. 
And  if  thou  be  overcome  thou  shall  not  be  quit  for  losing 
of  any  of  thy  members,  but  thou  shalt  be  shamed  for  ever 


CH.  vii    OF  THE  VISION  SIR  PERCIVALE  SAW     267 

to  the  world's  end.  And  then  he  asked  her  what  was  her 
lord.  And  she  said  the  greatest  lord  of  all  the  world  • 
and  so  she  departed  suddenly  that  he  wist  not  where. 


CHAPTER  VII 

Of  the  vision  that  Sir  Percivale  saw,  and  how  his  vision 
was  expounded,  and  of  his  lion. 

THEN  came  forth  the  other  lady  that  rode  upon  the 
serpent,  and  she  said  :  Sir  Percivale,  I  complain  me  of 
you  that  ye  have  done  unto  me,  and  have  not  offended 
unto  you.  Certes,  madam,  he  said,  unto  you  nor  no  lady 
I  never  offended.  Yes,  said  she,  I  shall  tell  you  why.  I 
have  nourished  in  this  place  a  great  while  a  serpent,  which 
served  me  a  great  while,  and  yesterday  ye  slew  him  as  he 
gat  his  prey.  Say  me  for  what  cause  ye  slew  him,  for  the 
lion  was  not  yours.  Madam,  said  Sir  Percivale,  I  know 
well  the  lion  was  not  mine,  but  I  did  it  for  the  lion  is  of 
more  gentler  nature  than  the  serpent,  and  therefore  I  slew 
him  ;  meseemeth  I  did  not  amiss  against  you.  Madam, 
said  he,  what  would  ye  that  I  did?  I  would,  said  she, 
for  the  amends  of  my  beast  that  ye  become  my  man. 
And  then  he  answered :  That  will  I  not  grant  you.  No, 
said  she,  truly  ye  were  never  but  my  servant  sin  ye 
received  the  homage  of  Our  Lord  Jesu  Christ.  Therefore, 
I  ensure  you  in  what  place  I  may  find  you  without  keeping 
I  shall  take  you,  as  he  that  sometime  was  my  man.  And 
so  she  departed  from  Sir  Percivale  and  left  him  sleeping, 
the  which  was  sore  travailed  of  his  advision.  And  on 
the  morn  he  arose  and  blessed  him,  and  he  was  passing 
feeble. 

Then  was  Sir  Percivale  ware  in  the  sea,  and  saw  a 
ship  come  sailing  toward  him  ;  and  Sir  Percivale  went 
unto  the  ship  and  found  it  covered  within  and  without 
with  white  samite.  And  at  the  board  stood  an  old  man 
clothed  in  a  surplice,  in  likeness  of  a  priest.  Sir,  said  Sir 


268  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xiv 

Percivale,  ye  be  welcome.  God  keep  you,  said  the  good 
man.  Sir,  said  the  old  man,  of  whence  be  ye  ?  Sir,  said 
Sir  Percivale,  I  am  of  King  Arthur's  court,  and  a  knight 
of  the  Table  Round,  the  which  am  in  the  quest  of  the 
Sangreal  ;  and  here  am  I  in  great  duresse,  and  never  like 
to  escape  out  of  this  wilderness.  Doubt  not,  said  the 
good  man,  an  ye  be  so  true  a  knight  as  the  order  of 
chivalry  requireth,  and  of  heart  as  ye  ought  to  be,  ye 
should  not  doubt  that  none  enemy  should  slay  you. 
What  are  ye  ?  said  Sir  Percivale.  Sir,  said  the  old  man, 
I  am  of  a  strange  country,  and  hither  I  come  to  comfort 
you. 

Sir,  said  Sir  Percivale,  what  signifieth  my  dream  that 
I  dreamed  this  night  ?  And  there  he  told  him  altogether  : 
She  which  rode  upon  the  lion  betokeneth  the  new  law  of 
holy  church,  that  is  to  understand,  faith,  good  hope,  belief, 
and  baptism.  For  she  seemed  younger  than  the  other  it 
is  great  reason,  for  she  was  born  in  the  resurrection  and 
the  passion  of  Our  Lord  Jesu  Christ.  And  for  great  love 
she  came  to  thee  to  warn  thee  of  thy  great  battle  that  shall 
befall  thee.  With  whom,  said  Sir  Percivale,  shall  I  fight  ? 
With  the  most  champion  of  the  world,  said  the  old  man  ; 
for  as  the  lady  said,  but  if  thou  quit  thee  well  thou  shalt 
not  be  quit  by  losing  of  one  member,  but  thou  shalt  be 
shamed  to  the  world's  end.  And  she  that  rode  on  the 
serpent  signifieth  the  old  law,  and  that  serpent  betokeneth 
a  fiend.  And  why  she  blamed  thee  that  thou  slewest  her 
servant,  it  betokeneth  nothing  ;  the  serpent  that  thou 
slewest  betokeneth  the  devil  that  thou  rodest  upon  to  the 
rock.  And  when  thou  madest  a  sign  of  the  cross,  there 
thou  slewest  him,  and  put  away  his  power.  And  when 
she  asked  thee  amends  and  to  become  her  man,  and  thou 
saidst  thou  wouldst  not,  that  was  to  make  thee  to  believe 
on  her  and  leave  thy  baptism.  So  he  commanded  Sir 
Percivale  to  depart,  and  so  he  leapt  over  the  board  and 
the  ship,  and  all  went  away  he  wist  not  whither.  Then 
he  went  up  unto  the  rock  and  found  the  lion  which  always 
kept  him  fellowship,  and  he  stroked  him  upon  the  back 
and  had  great  joy  of  him. 


CH.  vni    OF  SIR  PERCIVALE  AND  THE  LADY      26q 


CHAPTER    VIII 

How  Sir  Per  civ  ale  saw  a  ship  coming  to  him -ward, 
and  how  the  lady  of  the  ship  told  him  of  her  dis- 
heritance. 

BY  that  Sir  Percivale  had  abiden  there  till  mid-day  he  saw 
a  ship  came  rowing  in  the  sea,  as  all  the  wind  of  the  world 
had  driven  it.  And  so  it  drove  under  that  rock.  And 
when  Sir  Percivale  saw  this  he  hied  him  thither,  and  found 
the  ship  covered  with  silk  more  blacker  than  any  bear, 
and  therein  was  a  gentlewoman  of  great  beauty,  and  she 
was  clothed  richly  that  none  might  be  better.  And  when 
she  saw  Sir  Percivale  she  said  :  Who  brought  you  in  this 
wilderness  where  ye  be  never  like  to  pass  hence,  for  ye 
shall  die  here  for  hunger  and  mischief?  Damosel,  said 
Sir  Percivale,  I  serve  the  best  man  of  the  world,  and  in 
his  service  he  will  not  suffer  me  to  die,  for  who  that 
knocketh  shall  enter,  and  who  that  asketh  shall  have,  and 
who  that  seeketh  him  he  hideth  him  not.  But  then  she 
said  :  Sir  Percivale,  wot  ye  what  I  am  ?  Yea,  said  he. 
Now  who  taught  you  my  name?  said  she.  Now,  said 
Sir  Percivale,  I  know  you  better  than  ye  ween.  And 
I  came  out  of  the  waste  forest  where  I  found  the  Red 
Knight  with  the  white  shield,  said  the  damosel.  Ah, 
damosel,  said  he,  with  that  knight  would  I  meet  passing 
fain.  Sir  knight,  said  she,  an  ye  will  ensure  me  by  the 
faith  that  ye  owe  unto  knighthood  that  ye  shall  do  my 
will  what  time  I  summon  you,  and  I  shall  bring  you  unto 
that  knight.  Yea,  said  he,  I  shall  promise  you  to  fulfil 
your  desire.  Well,  said  she,  now  shall  I  tell  you.  I  saw 
him  in  the  forest  chasing  two  knights  unto  a  water,  the 
which  is  called  Mortaise  ;  and  they  drove  him  into  the 
water  for  dread  of  death,  and  the  two  knights  passed  over, 
and  the  Red  Knight  passed  after,  and  there  his  horse  was 
drenched,  and  he,  through  great  strength,  escaped  unto 


270  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xiv 

the  land  :  thus  she  told  him,  and  Sir  Percivale  was  passing 
glad  thereof. 

Then  she  asked  him  if  he  had  ate  any  meat  late. 
Nay,  madam,  truly  I  ate  no  meat  nigh  this  three  days, 
but  late  here  I  spake  with  a  good  man  that  fed  me  with 
his  good  words  and  holy,  and  refreshed  me  greatly.  Ah, 
sir  knight,  said  she,  that  same  man  is  an  enchanter  and 
a  multiplier  of  words.  For  an  ye  believe  him  ye  shall 
plainly  be  shamed,  and  die  in  this  rock  for  pure  hunger, 
and  be  eaten  with  wild  beasts  ;  and  ye  be  a  young  man 
and  a  goodly  knight,  and  I  shall  help  you  an  ye  will. 
What  are  ye,  said  Sir  Percivale,  that  proffered  me  thus 
great  kindness  ?  I  am,  said  she,  a  gentlewoman  that  am 
disherited,  which  was  sometime  the  richest  woman  of  the 
world.  Damosel,  said  Sir  Percivale,  who  hath  disherited 
you?  for  I  have  great  pity  of  you.  Sir,  said  she,  I 
dwelled  with  the  greatest  man  of  the  world,  and  he  made 
me  so  fair  and  clear  that  there  was  none  like  me  ;  and  of 
that  great  beauty  I  had  a  little  pride  more  than  I  ought 
to  have  had.  Also  I  said  a  word  that  pleased  him  not. 
And  then  he  would  not  suffer  me  to  be  any  longer  in  his 
company,  and  so  drove  me  from  mine  heritage,  and  so 
disherited  me,  and  he  had  never  pity  of  me  nor  of  none  of 
my  council,  nor  of  my  court.  And  sithen,  sir  knight,  it 
hath  befallen  me  so,  and  through  me  and  mine  I  have 
benome  him  many  of  his  men,  and  made  them  to  become 
my  men.  For  they  ask  never  nothing  of  me  but  I  give 
it  them,  that  and  much  more.  Thus  I  and  all  my  servants 
were  against  him  night  and  day.  Therefore  I  know  now 
no  good  knight,  nor  no  good  man,  but  I  get  them  on  my 
side  an  I  may.  And  for  that  I  know  that  thou  art  a  good 
knight,  I  beseech  you  to  help  me  ;  and  for  ye  be  a  fellow 
of  the  Round  Table,  wherefore  ye  ought  not  to  fail  no 
gentlewoman  which  is  disherited,  an  she  besought  you  of 
help. 


CH.IX    PERCIVALE  SAVED  FROM  THE  FIEND    271 


CHAPTER    IX 

How  Sir  Percivale  promised  her  help,  and  how  he  required 
her  of  love,  and  how  he  was  saved  from  the  fiend. 

THEN  Sir  Percivale  promised  her  all  the  help  that  he 
might ;  and  then  she  thanked  him.  And  at  that  time  the 
weather  was  hot.  Then  she  called  unto  her  a  gentle- 
woman and  bade  her  bring  forth  a  pavilion  ;  and  so  she 
did,  and  pight  it  upon  the  gravel.  Sir,  said  she,  now  may 
ye  rest  you  in  this  heat  of  the  day.  Then  he  thanked 
her,  and  she  put  off  his  helm  and  his  shield,  and  there  he 
slept  a  great  while.  And  then  he  awoke  and  asked  her  if 
she  had  any  meat,  and  she  said  :  Yea,  also  ye  shall  have 
enough.  And  so  there  was  set  enough  upon  the  table, 
and  thereon  so  much  that  he  had  marvel,  for  there  was  all 
manner  of  meats  that  he  could  think  on.  Also  he  drank 
there  the  strongest  wine  that  ever  he  drank,  him  thought, 
and  therewith  he  was  a  little  chafed  more  than  he  ought 
to  be  ;  with  that  he  beheld  the  gentlewoman,  and  him 
thought  she  was  the  fairest  creature  that  ever  he  saw. 
And  then  Sir  Percivale  proffered  her  love,  and  prayed  her 
that  she  would  be  his.  Then  she  refused  him,  in  a 
manner,  when  he  required  her,  for  the  cause  he  should  be 
the  more  ardent  on  her,  and  ever  he  ceased  not  to  pray 
her  of  love.  And  when  she  saw  him  well  enchafed,  then 
she  said  :  Sir  Percivale,  wit  you  well  I  shall  not  fulfil  your 
will  but  if  ye  swear  from  henceforth  ye  shall  be  my  true 
servant,  and  to  do  nothing  but  that  I  shall  command  you. 
Will  ye  ensure  me  this  as  ye  be  a  true  knight  ?  Yea,  said 
he,  fair  lady,  by  the  faith  of  my  body.  Well,  said  she, 
now  shall  ye  do  with  me  whatso  it  please  you  ;  and  now 
wit  ye  well  ye  are  the  knight  in  the  world  that  I  have 
most  desire  to. 

And  then  two  squires  were  commanded  to  make  a  bed 
in  midst  of  the  pavilion.  And  anon  she  was  unclothed 
and  laid  therein.  And  then  Sir  Percivale  laid  him  down 


272  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xiv 

by  her  naked  ;  and  by  adventure  and  grace  he  saw  his 
sword  lie  on  the  ground  naked,  in  whose  pommel  was  a 
red  cross  and  the  sign  of  the  crucifix  therein,  and  bethought 
him  on  his  knighthood  and  his  promise  made  to-forehand 
unto  the  good  man  ;  then  he  made  a  sign  of  the  cross  in 
his  forehead,  and  therewith  the  pavilion  turned  up-so- 
down,  and  then  it  changed  unto  a  smoke,  and  a  black 
cloud,  and  then  he  was  adread  and  cried  aloud  : 


CHAPTER    X 

How  Sir  Percivale  for  penance  rove  himself  through  the 
thigh  ;  and  how  she  was  known  for  the  devil. 

FAIR  sweet  Father,  Jesu  Christ,  ne  let  me  not  be  shamed, 
the  which  was  nigh  lost  had  not  thy  good  grace  been. 
And  then  he  looked  into  a  ship,  and  saw  her  enter  therein, 
which  said  :  Sir  Percivale,  ye  have  betrayed  me.  And  so 
she  went  with  the  wind  roaring  and  yelling,  that  it  seemed 
all  the  water  brent  after  her.  Then  Sir  Percivale  made 
great  sorrow,  and  drew  his  sword  unto  him,  saying  : 
Sithen  my  flesh  will  be  my  master  I  shall  punish  it  ;  and 
therewith  he  rove  himself  through  the  thigh  that  the  blood 
stert  about  him,  and  said  :  O  good  Lord,  take  this  in 
recompensation  of  that  I  have  done  against  thee,  my  Lord. 
So  then  he  clothed  him  and  armed  him,  and  called  himself 
a  wretch,  saying  :  How  nigh  was  I  lost,  and  to  have  lost 
that  I  should  never  have  gotten  again,  that  was  my 
virginity,  for  that  may  never  be  recovered  after  it  is  once 
lost.  And  then  he  stopped  his  bleeding  wound  with  a 
piece  of  his  shirt. 

Thus  as  he  made  his  moan  he  saw  the  same  ship  come 
from  Orient  that  the  good  man  was  in  the  day  afore,  and 
the  noble  knight  was  ashamed  with  himself,  and  therewith 
he  fell  in  a  swoon.  And  when  he  awoke  he  went  unto 
him  weakly,  and  there  he  saluted  this  good  man.  And 
then  he  asked  Sir  Percivale  :  How  hast  thou  done  sith 


CHAP,  x        OF  SIR  PERCIVALE'S  PENANCE  273 

I  departed?  Sir,  said  he,  here  was  a  gentlewoman  and 
led  me  into  deadly  sin.  And  there  he  told  him  altogether. 
Knew  ye  not  the  maid  ?  said  the  good  man.  Sir,  said  he, 
nay,  but  well  I  wot  the  fiend  sent  her  hither  to  shame  me. 
O  good  knight,  said  he,  thou  art  a  fool,  for  that  gentle- 
woman was  the  master  fiend  of  hell,  the  which  hath  power 
above  all  devils,  and  that  was  the  old  lady  that  thou  sawest 
in  thine  advision  riding  on  the  serpent.  Then  he  told 
Sir  Percivale  how  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ  beat  him  out  of 
heaven  for  his  sin,  the  which  was  the  most  brightest  angel 
of  heaven,  and  therefore  he  lost  his  heritage.  And  that 
was  the  champion  that  thou  foughtest  withal,  the  which 
had  overcome  thee  had  not  the  grace  of  God  been.  Now 
beware  Sir  Percivale,  and  take  this  for  an  ensample.  And 
then  the  good  man  vanished  away.  Then  Sir  Percivale 
took  his  arms,  and  entered  into  the  ship,  and  so  departed 
from  thence. 


f&ere  entretjj  tfje  fourteenth  &ooft,  fofjtrfj  is  of  5tr  $erctbale, 
&nti  fjere  follofoetjj  of  Sir  iLauncelot,  fojjtcjj  t*  tjje 
fitentjj 


VOL.  II 


BOOK    XV 


CHAPTER   I 

flow  Sir  Launcelot  came  to  a  chapel,  where  he  found  dead, 
in  a  white  shirty  a  man  of  religion,  of  an  hundred 
winter  old. 

WHEN  the  hermit  had  kept  Sir  Launcelot  three  days,  the 
hermit  gat  him  an  horse,  an  helm,  and  a  sword.  And  then 
he  departed  about  the  hour  of  noon.  And  then  he  saw  a 
little  house.  And  when  he  came  near  he  saw  a  chapel,  and 
there  beside  he  saw  an  old  man  that  was  clothed  all  in 
white  full  richly  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  said :  God  save 
you.  God  keep  you,  said  the  good  man,  and  make  you  a 
good  knight.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  alighted  and  entered 
into  the  chapel,  and  there  he  saw  an  old  man  dead,  in  a 
white  shirt  of  passing  fine  cloth. 

Sir,  said  the  good  man,  this  man  that  is  dead  ought  not 
to  be  in  such  clothing  as  ye  see  him  in,  for  in  that  he 
brake  the  oath  of  his  order,  for  he  hath  been  more  than  an 
hundred  winter  a  man  of  a  religion.  And  then  the  good 
man  and  Sir  Launcelot  went  into  the  chapel ;  and  the 
good  man  took  a  stole  about  his  neck,  and  a  book,  and 
then  he  conjured  on  that  book  ;  and  with  that  they  saw  in 
an  hideous  figure  and  horrible,  that  there  was  no  man  so 
hard-hearted  nor  so  hard  but  he  should  have  been  afeard. 
Then  said  the  fiend  :  Thou  hast  travailed  me  greatly  ; 
now  tell  me  what  thou  wilt  with  me.  t  will,  said  the  good 
man,  that  thou  tell  me  how  my  fellow  became  dead,  and 
whether  he  be  saved  or  damned.  Then  he  said  with  an 


CH.  ii     OF  A  DEAD  MAN  AND  LAUNCELOT      275 

horrible  voice  :  He  is  not  lost  but  saved.  How  may  that 
be  ?  said  the  good  man  ;  it  seemed  to  me  that  he  lived 
not  well,  for  he  brake  his  order  for  to  wear  a  shirt  where 
he  ought  to  wear  none,  and  who  that  trespasseth  against 
our  order  doth  not  well.  Not  so,  said  the  fiend,  this  man 
that  lieth  here  dead  was  come  of  a  great  lineage.  And 
there  was  a  lord  that  hight  the  Earl  de  Vale,  that  held 
great  war  against  this  man's  nephew,  the  which  hight 
Aguarus.  And  so  this  Aguarus  saw  the  earl  was  bigger 
than  he.  Then  he  went  for  to  take  counsel  of  his  uncle, 
the  which  lieth  here  dead  as  ye  may  see.  And  then  he 
asked  leave,  and  went  out  of  his  hermitage  for  to  maintain 
his  nephew  against  the  mighty  earl ;  and  so  it  happed 
that  this  man  that  lieth  here  dead  did  so  much  by  his 
wisdom  and  hardiness  that  the  earl  was  taken,  and  three  of 
his  lords,  by  force  of  this  dead  man. 


CHAPTER   II 

Of  a  dead  man,  how  men  would  have  hewn  him,  and  it  would 
not  be>  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  took  the  hair  of  the  dead 
man. 

THEN  was  there  peace  betwixt  the  earl  and  this  Aguarus, 
and  great  surety  that  the  earl  should  never  war  against 
him.  Then  this  dead  man  that  here  lieth  came  to  this 
hermitage  again  ;  and  then  the  earl  made  two  of  his 
nephews  for  to  be  avenged  upon  this  man.  So  they  came 
on  a  day,  and  found  this  dead  man  at  the  sacring 
of  his  mass,  and  they  abode  him  till  he  had  said  mass. 
And  then  they  set  upon  him  and  drew  out  swords  to 
have  slain  him  ;  but  there  would  no  sword  bite  on  him 
more  than  upon  a  gad  of  steel,  for  the  high  Lord  which  he 
served  He  him  preserved.  Then  made  they  a  great  fire, 
and  did  off  all  his  clothes,  and  the  hair  off"  his  back.  And 
then  this  dead  man  hermit  said  unto  them  :  Ween  you  to 
burn  me  ?  It  shall  not  lie  in  your  power  nor  to  perish  me 
as  much  as  a  thread,  an  there  were  any  on  my  body.  No  ? 


276  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xv 

said  one  of  them,  it  shall  be  assayed.  And  then  they  de- 
spoiled him,  and  put  upon  him  this  shirt,  and  cast  him  in  a 
fire,  and  there  he  lay  all  that  night  till  it  was  day  in  that 
fire,  and  was  not  dead,  and  so  in  the  morn  I  came  and 
found  him  dead  ;  but  I  found  neither  thread  nor  skin 
tamed,  and  so  took  him  out  of  the  fire  with  great  fear,  and 
laid  him  here  as  ye  may  see.  And  now  may  ye  suffer  me 
to  go  my  way,  for  I  have  said  you  the  sooth.  And  then 
he  departed  with  a  great  tempest. 

Then  was  the  good  man  and  Sir  Launcelot  more 
gladder  than  they  were  to-fore.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot 
dwelled  with  that  good  man  that  night.  Sir,  said  the  good 
man,  be  ye  not  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  ?  Yea,  sir,  said  he. 
What  seek  ye  in  this  country  ?  Sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I 
go  to  seek  the  adventures  of  the  Sangreal.  Well,  said  he, 
seek  it  ye  may  well,  but  though  it  were  here  ye  shall  have 
no  power  to  see  it  no  more  than  a  blind  man  should  see  a 
bright  sword,  and  that  is  long  on  your  sin,  and  else  ye  were 
more  abler  than  any  man  living.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot 
began  to  weep.  Then  said  the  good  man  :  Were  ye  con- 
fessed sith  ye  entered  into  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal  ?  Yea, 
sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  upon  the  morn  when  the 
good  man  had  sung  his  mass,  then  they  buried  the  dead 
man.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  said  :  Father,  what  shall  I  do  ? 
Now,  said  the  good  man,  I  require  you  take  this  hair  that 
was  this  holy  man's  and  put  it  next  thy  skin,  and  it  shall 
prevail  thee  greatly.  Sir,  and  I  will  do  it,  said  Sir  Launce- 
lot. Also  I  charge  you  that  ye  eat  no  flesh  as  long  as  ye 
be  in  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal,  nor  ye  shall  drink  no 
wine,  and  that  ye  hear  mass  daily  an  ye  may  do  it.  So  he 
took  the  hair  and  put  it  upon  him,  and  so  departed  at 
evensong-time. 

And  so  rode  he  into  a  forest,  and  there  he  met  with  a 
gentlewoman  riding  upon  a  white  palfrey,  and  then  she 
asked  him  :  Sir  knight,  whither  ride  ye  ?  Certes,  damosel, 
said  Launcelot,  I  wot  not  whither  I  ride  but  as  fortune 
leadeth  me.  Ah,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  she,  I  wot  what 
adventure  ye  seek,  for  ye  were  afore  time  nearer  than  ye 
be  now,  and  yet  shall  ye  see  it  more  openly  than  eyer  ye 


CH.  in   OF  A  VISION  THAT  LAUNCELOT  HAD   277 

did,  and  that  shall  ye  understand  in  short  time.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  asked  her  where  he  might  be  harboured  that 
night.  Ye  shall  not  find  this  day  nor  night,  but  to-morn  ye 
shall  find  harbour  good,  and  ease  of  that  ye  be  in  doubt  of. 
And  then  he  commended  her  unto  God.  Then  he  rode 
till  that  he  came  to  a  Cross,  and  took  that  for  his  host  as 
for  that  night. 


CHAPTER   III 

Of  an  advision  that  Sir  Launcelot  had,  and  how  he  told  it 
to  an  hermit,  and  desired  counsel  of  him, 

AND  so  he  put  his  horse  to  pasture,  and  did  off  his  helm 
and  his  shield,  and  made  his  prayers  unto  the  Cross  that  he 
never  fall  in  deadly  sin  again.  And  so  he  laid  him  down 
to  sleep.  And  anon  as  he  was  asleep  it  befell  him  there  an 
advision,  that  there  came  a  man  afore  him  all  by  compass 
of  stars,  and  that  man  had  a  crown  of  gold  on  his  head, 
and  that  man  led  in  his  fellowship  seven  kings  and  two 
knights.  And  all  these  worshipped  the  Cross,  kneeling 
upon  their  knees,  holding  up  their  hands  toward  the 
heaven.  And  all  they  said  :  Fair  sweet  Father  of  heaven, 
come  and  visit  us,  and  yield  unto  us  everych  as  we  have 
deserved. 

Then  looked  Launcelot  up  to  the  heaven,  and  him 
seemed  the  clouds  did  open,  and  an  old  man  came  down, 
with  a  company  of  angels,  and  alighted  among  them,  and 
gave  unto  everych  his  blessing,  and  called  them  his 
servants,  and  good  and  true  knights.  And  when  this  old 
man  had  said  thus  he  came  to  one  of  those  knights,  and 
said  :  I  have  lost  all  that  I  have  set  in  thee,  for  thou  hast 
ruled  thee  against  me  as  a  warrior,  and  used  wrong  wars 
with  vain-glory,  more  for  the  pleasure  of  the  world  than  to 
please  me,  therefore  thou  shalt  be  confounded  without  thou 
yield  me  my  treasure.  All  this  advision  saw  Sir  Launcelot 
at  the  Cross. 

And  on  the  morn  he  took  his  horse  and  rode  till  mid- 


278  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xv 

day  ;  and  there  by  adventure  he  met  with  the  same  knight 
that  took  his  horse,  helm,  and  his  sword,  when  he  slept 
when  the  Sangreal  appeared  afore  the  Cross.  When  Sir 
Launcelot  saw  him  he  saluted  him  not  fair,  but  cried 
on  high  :  Knight,  keep  thee,  for  thou  hast  done  to  me 
great  unkindness.  And  then  they  put  afore  them  their 
spears,  and  Sir  Launcelot  came  so  fiercely  upon  him  that 
he  smote  him  and  his  horse  down  to  the  earth,  that  he  had 
nigh  broken  his  neck.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  took  the 
knight's  horse  that  was  his  own  aforehand,  and  descended 
from  the  horse  he  sat  upon,  and  mounted  upon  his  own 
horse,  and  tied  the  knight's  own  horse  to  a  tree,  that  he 
might  find  that  horse  when  that  he  was  arisen.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  rode  till  night,  and  by  adventure  he  met  an 
hermit,  and  each  of  them  saluted  other  ;  and  there  he 
rested  with  that  good  man  all  night,  and  gave  his  horse 
such  as  he  might  get.  Then  said  the  good  man  unto 
Launcelot  :  Of  whence  be  ye  ?  Sir,  said  he,  I  am  of 
Arthur's  court,  and  my  name  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake 
that  am  in  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal,  and  therefore  I  pray 
you  to  counsel  me  of  a  vision  the  which  I  had  at  the  Cross. 
And  so  he  told  him  all. 


CHAPTER  IV 

How  the  hermit  expounded  to  Sir  Launcelot  his  advision,  and 
told  him  that  Sir  Galahad  was  his  son. 

Lo,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  the  good  man,  there  thou  mightest 
understand  the  high  lineage  that  thou  art  come  of,  and 
thine  advision  betokeneth.  After  the  passion  of  Jesu 
Christ  forty  year,  Joseph  of  Aramathie  preached  the  victory 
of  King  Evelake,  that  he  had  in  the  battles  the  better  of 
his  enemies.  And  of  the  seven  kings  and  the  two  knights  : 
the  first  of  them  is  called  Nappus,  an  holy  man  ;  and  the 
second  hight  Nacien,  in  remembrance  of  his  grandsire,  and 
in  him  dwelled  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ ;  and  the  third  was 
called  Helias  le  Grose  ;  and  the  fourth  hight  Lisais ;  and 


CH.  iv    THE  HERMIT  EXPOUNDS  HIS  VISION      279 

the  fifth  hight  Jonas,  he  departed  out  of  his  country  and 
went  into  Wales,  and  took  there  the  daughter  of  Manuel, 
whereby  he  had  the  land  of  Gaul,  and  he  came  to  dwell  in 
this  country.  And  of  him  came  King  Launcelot  thy 
grandsire,  the  which  there  wedded  the  king's  daughter  of 
Ireland,  and  he  was  as  worthy  a  man  as  thou  art,  and  of 
him  came  King  Ban,  thy  father,  the  which  was  the  last  of 
the  seven  kings.  And  by  thee,  Sir  Launcelot,  it  signifieth 
that  the  angels  said  thou  were  none  of  the  seven  fellow- 
ships. And  the  last  was  the  ninth  knight,  he  was  signified 
to  a  lion,  for  he  should  pass  all  manner  of  earthly  knights, 
that  is  Sir  Galahad,  the  which  thou  gat  on  King  Pelles' 
daughter  ;  and  thou  ought  to  thank  God  more  than  any 
other  man  living,  for  of  a  sinner  earthly  thou  hast  no  peer 
as  in  knighthood,  nor  never  shall  be.  But  little  thank  hast 
thou  given  to  God  for  all  the  great  virtues  that  God  hath 
lent  thee.  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  ye  say  that  that  good 
knight  is  my  son.  That  oughtest  thou  to  know  and  no 
man  better,  said  the  good  man,  for  thou  knewest  the 
daughter  of  King  Pelles  fleshly,  and  on  her  thou  begattest 
Galahad,  and  that  was  he  that  at  the  feast  of  Pentecost  sat 
in  the  Siege  Perilous  ;  and  therefore  make  thou  it  known 
openly  that  he  is  one  of  thy  begetting  on  King  Pelles' 
daughter,  for  that  will  be  your  worship  and  honour,  and  to 
all  thy  kindred.  And  I  counsel  you  in  no  place  press  not 
upon  him  to  have  ado  with  him.  Well,  said  Launcelot, 
meseemeth  that  good  knight  should  pray  for  me  unto  the 
High  Father,  that  I  fall  not  to  sin  again.  Trust  thou 
well,  said  the  good  man,  thou  farest  mickle  the  better  for 
his  prayer  ;  but  the  son  shall  not  bear  the  wickedness  of 
the  father,  nor  the  father  shall  not  bear  the  wickedness  of 
the  son,  but  everych  shall  bear  his  own  burden.  And 
therefore  beseek  thou  only  God,  and  He  will  help  thee  in 
all  thy  needs.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  and  he  went  to 
supper,  and  so  laid  him  to  rest,  and  the  hair  pricked  so  Sir 
Launcelot's  skin  which  grieved  him  full  sore,  but  he  took 
it  meekly,  and  suffered  the  pain.  And  so  on  the  morn 
he  heard  his  mass  and  took  his  arms,  and  so  took  his 
leave. 


280  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xv 


CHAPTER   V 

How  Sir  Launcelot  jousted  with  many  knights,  and 
how  he  was  taken. 

AND  then  mounted  upon  his  horse,  and  rode  into  a  forest, 
and  held  no  highway.  And  as  he  looked  afore  him  he 
saw  a  fair  plain,  and  beside  that  a  fair  castle,  and  afore  the 
castle  were  many  pavilions  of  silk  and  of  diverse  hue. 
And  him  seemed  that  he  saw  there  five  hundred  knights 
riding  on  horseback  ;  and  there  were  two  parties  :  they 
that  were  of  the  castle  were  all  on  black  horses  and  their 
trappings  black,  and  they  that  were  without  were  all  on 
white  horses  and  trappings,  and  everych  hurtled  to  other 
that  it  marvelled  Sir  Launcelot.  And  at  the  last  him 
thought  they  of  the  castle  were  put  to  the  worse. 

Then  thought  Sir  Launcelot  for  to  help  there  the 
weaker  party  in  increasing  of  his  chivalry.  And  so  Sir 
Launcelot  thrust  in  among  the  party  of  the  castle,  and 
smote  down  a  knight,  horse  and  man,  to  the  earth.  And 
then  he  rashed  here  and  there,  and  did  marvellous  deeds 
of  arms.  And  then  he  drew  out  his  sword,  and  struck 
many  knights  to  the  earth,  so  that  all  those  that  saw  him 
marvelled  that  ever  one  knight  might  do  so  great  deeds 
of  arms.  But  always  the  white  knights  held  them  nigh 
about  Sir  Launcelot,  for  to  tire  him  and  wind  him.  But 
at  the  last,  as  a  man  may  not  ever  endure,  Sir  Launcelot 
waxed  so  faint  of  fighting  and  travailing,  and  was  so  weary 
of  his  great  deeds,  that *  he  might  not  lift  up  his  arms  for 
to  give  one  stroke,  so  that  he  weened  never  to  have  borne 
arms  ;  and  then  they  all  took  and  led  him  away  into  a 
forest,  and  there  made  him  to  alight  and  to  rest  him. 
And  then  all  the  fellowship  of  the  castle  were  overcome 
for  the  default  of  him.  Then  they  said  all  unto  Sir 
Launcelot :  Blessed  be  God  that  ye  be  now  of  our  fellow- 
ship, for  we  shall  hold  you  in  our  prison  ;  and  so  they  left 

1  So  W.  de  Worde  ;  Caxton  "  but." 


CHAP,  vi       OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT'S  VISION  281 

him  with  few  words.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  made  great 
sorrow,  For  never  or  now  was  I  never  at  tournament  nor 
jousts  but  I  had  the  best,  and  now  I  am  shamed  ;  and 
then  he  said  :  Now  I  am  sure  that  I  am  more  sinfuller 
than  ever  I  was. 

Thus  he  rode  sorrowing,  and  half  a  day  he  was  out  of 
despair,  till  that  he  came  into  a  deep  valley.  And  when 
Sir  Launcelot  saw  he  might  not  ride  up  into  the  mountain, 
he  there  alighted  under  an  apple  tree,  and  there  he  left 
his  helm  and  his  shield,  and  put  his  horse  unto  pasture. 
And  then  he  laid  him  down  to  sleep.  And  then  him 
thought  there  came  an  old  man  afore  him,  the  which  said  : 
Ah,  Launcelot  of  evil  faith  and  poor  belief,  wherefore  is 
thy  will  turned  so  lightly  toward  thy  deadly  sin  ?  And 
when  he  had  said  thus  he  vanished  away,  and  Launcelot 
wist  not  where  he  was  become.  Then  he  took  his  horse, 
and  armed  him ;  and  as  he  rode  by  the  way  he  saw  a 
chapel  where  was  a  recluse,  which  had  a  window  that  she 
might  see  up  to  the  altar.  And  all  aloud  she  called 
Launcelot,  for  that  he  seemed  a  knight  errant.  And  then 
he  came,  and  she  asked  him  what  he  was,  and  of  what 
place,  and  where  about  he  went  to  seek. 


CHAPTER   VI 

How  Sir  Launcelot  told  his  advision  to  a  woman,  and 
how  she  expounded  it  to  him. 

AND  then  he  told  her  altogether  word  by  word,  and  the 
truth  how  it  befell  him  at  the  tournament.  And  after 
told  her  his  ad  vision  that  he  had  had  that  night  in  his 
sleep,  and  prayed  her  to  tell  him  what  it  might  mean,  for 
he  was  not  well  content  with  it.  Ah,  Launcelot,  said  she, 
as  long  as  ye  were  knight  of  earthly  knighthood  ye  were 
the  most  marvellous  man  of  the  world,  and  most  adven- 
turous. Now,  said  the  lady,  sithen  ye  be  set  among  the 
knights  of  heavenly  adventures,  if  adventure  fell  thee 


282  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xv 

contrary  at  that  tournament  have  thou  no  marvel,  for  that 
tournament  yesterday  was  but  a  tokening  of  Our  Lord. 
And  not  for  then  there  was  none  enchantment,  for  they 
at  the  tournament  were  earthly  knights.  The  tournament 
was  a  token  to  see  who  should  have  most  knights,  either 
Eliazar,  the  son  of  King  Pelles,  or  Argustus,  the  son  of 
King  Harlon.  But  Eliazar  was  all  clothed  in  white,  and 
Argustus  was  covered  in  black,  the  which  were  [over] come. 
All  what  this  betokeneth  I  shall  tell  you.  The  day  of 
Pentecost,  when  King  Arthur  held  his  court,  it  befell  that 
earthly  kings  and  knights  took  a  tournament  together, 
that  is  to  say  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal.  The  earthly 
knights  were  they  the  which  were  clothed  all  in  black, 
and  the  covering  betokeneth  the  sins  whereof  they  be  not 
confessed.  And  they  with  the  covering  of  white  be- 
tokeneth virginity,  and  they  that  chose  chastity.  And 
thus  was  the  quest  begun  in  them.  Then  thou  beheld 
the  sinners  and  the  good  men,  and  when  thou  sawest  the 
sinners  overcome,  thou  inclinest  to  that  party  for  bobaunce 
and  pride  of  the  world,  and  all  that  must  be  left  in  that 
quest,  for  in  this  quest  thou  shalt  have  many  fellows  and 
thy  betters.  For  thou  art  so  feeble  of  evil  trust  and  good 
belief,  this  made  it  when  thou  were  there  where  they  took 
thee  and  led  thee  into  the  forest.  And  anon  there  appeared 
the  Sangreal  unto  the  white  knights,  but  thou  was  so  feeble 
of  good  belief  and  faith  that  thou  mightest  not  abide  it  for 
all  the  teaching  of  the  good  man,  but  anon  thou  turnest 
to  the  sinners,  and  that  caused  thy  misadventure  that  thou 
should'st  know  good  from  evil  and  vain  glory  of  the 
world,  the  which  is  not  worth  a  pear.  And  for  great 
pride  thou  madest  great  sorrow  that  thou  hadst  not  over- 
come all  the  white  knights  with  the  covering  of  white,  by 
whom  was  betokened  virginity  and  chastity  ;  and  therefore 
God  was  wroth  with  you,  for  God  loveth  no  such  deeds 
in  this  quest.  And  this  advision  signifieth  that  thou  were 
of  evil  faith  and  of  poor  belief,  the  which  will  make  thee 
to  fall  into  the  deep  pit  of  hell  if  thou  keep  thee  not. 
Now  have  I  warned  thee  of  thy  vain  glory  and  of  thy 
pride,  that  thou  hast  many  times  erred  against  thy  Maker. 


CH.  vi     OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT'S  ADVENTURE         283 

Beware  of  everlasting  pain,  for  of  all  earthly  knights  I 
have  most  pity  of  thee,  for  I  know  well  thou  hast  not  thy 
peer  of  any  earthly  sinful  man. 

And  so  she  commended  Sir  Launcelot  to  dinner.  And 
after  dinner  he  took  his  horse  and  commended  her  to  God, 
and  so  rode  into  a  deep  valley,  and  there  he  saw  a  river 
and  an  high  mountain.  And  through  the  water  he  must 
needs  pass,  the  which  was  hideous  ;  and  then  in  the  name 
of  God  he  took  it  with  good  heart.  And  when  he  came 
over  he  saw  an  armed  knight,  horse  and  man  black  as  any 
bear  ;  without  any  word  he  smote  Sir  Launcelot's  horse  to 
the  earth  ;  and  so  he  passed  on,  he  wist  not  where  he  was 
become.  And  then  he  took  his  helm  and  his  shield,  and 
thanked  God  of  his  adventure. 

^ere  leabeflj  off  tfje  storji  of  Sir  ILauttcelot,  antr  speaft  foe 
of  Sir  (Kafoaine,  tfje  foljidj  te  tjje  sixteenth  fcoofc. 


BOOK    XVI 


CHAPTER   I 

How  Sir  Gawaine  was  nigh  weary  of  the  quest  of  the 
Sangreal,  and  of  his  marvellous  dream. 

WHEN  Sir  Gawaine  was  departed  from  his  fellowship  he 
rode  long  without  any  adventure.  For  he  found  not  the 
tenth  part  of  adventure  as  he  was  wont  to  do.  For  Sir 
Gawaine  rode  from  Whitsuntide  until  Michaelmas  and 
found  none  adventure  that  pleased  him.  So  on  a  day  it 
befell  Gawaine  met  with  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  and  either 
made  great  joy  of  other  that  it  were  marvel  to  tell.  And 
so  they  told  everych  other,  and  complained  them  greatly 
that  they  could  find  none  adventure.  Truly,  said  Sir 
Gawaine  unto  Sir  Ector,  I  am  nigh  weary  of  this  quest, 
and  loath  I  am  to  follow  further  in  strange  countries. 
One  thing  marvelled  me,  said  Sir  Ector,  I  have  met  with 
twenty  knights,  fellows  of  mine,  and  all  they  complain  as 
I  do.  I  have  marvel,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  where  that  Sir 
Launcelot,  your  brother,  is.  Truly,  said  Sir  Ector,  I 
cannot  hear  of  him,  nor  of  Sir  Galahad,  Percivale,  nor 
Sir  Bors.  Let  them  be,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  for  they  four 
have  no  peers.  And  if  one  thing  were  not  in  Sir  Launcelot 
he  had  no  fellow  of  none  earthly  man  ;  but  he  is  as  we  be, 
but  if  he  took  more  pain  upon  him.  But  an  these  four 
be  met  together  they  will  be  loath  that  any  man  meet  with 
them  ;  for  an  they  fail  of  the  Sangreal  it  is  in  waste  of  all 
the  remnant  to  recover  it. 

Thus  Ector  and  Gawaine  rode  more  than  eight  days, 


CHAP,  ii    OF  THE  VISION  OF  SIR  GAWAINE         285 

and  on  a  Saturday  they  found  an  old  chapel,  the  which 
was  wasted  that  there  seemed  no  man  thither  repaired  ; 
and  there  they  alighted,  and  set  their  spears  at  the  door, 
and  in  they  entered  into  the  chapel,  and  there  made  their 
orisons  a  great  while,  and  set  them  down  in  the  sieges  of 
the  chapel.  And  as  they  spake  of  one  thing  and  other, 
for  heaviness  they  fell  asleep,  and  there  befell  them  both 
marvellous  adventures.  Sir  Gawaine  him  seemed  he 
came  into  a  meadow  full  of  herbs  and  flowers,  and  there 
he  saw  a  rack  of  bulls,  an  hundred  and  fifty,  that  were 
proud  and  black,  save  three  of  them  were  all  white,  and 
one  had  a  black  spot,  and  the  other  two  were  so  fair  and 
so  white  that  they  might  be  no  whiter.  And  these  three 
bulls  which  were  so  fair  were  tied  with  two  strong  cords. 
And  the  remnant  of  the  bulls  said  among  them  :  Go  we 
hence  to  seek  better  pasture.  And  so  some  went,  and 
some  came  again,  but  they  were  so  Jean  that  they  might 
not  stand  upright ;  and  of  the  bulls  that  were  so  white, 
that  one  came  again  and  no  mo.  But  when  this  white  bull 
was  come  again  among  these  other  there  rose  up  a  great 
cry  for  lack  of  wind  that  failed  them ;  and  so  they 
departed  one  here  and  another  there  :  this  advision  befell 
Gawaine  that  night. 


CHAPTER   II 

Of  the  advision  of  Sir  EC  tor,  and  how  he  jousted  with  Sir 
Uwaine  les  Avoutres,  his  sworn  brother. 

BUT  to  Ector  de  Maris  befell  another  vision  the  contrary. 
For  it  seemed  him  that  his  brother,  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
he  alighted  out  of  a  chair  and  leapt  upon  two  horses, 
and  the  one  said  to  the  other  :  Go  we  seek  that  we  shall 
not  find.  And  him  thought  that  a  man  beat  Sir  Launce- 
lot, and  despoiled  him,  and  clothed  him  in  another  array, 
the  which  was  all  full  of  knots,  and  set  him  upon  an  ass, 
and  so  he  rode  till  he  came  to  the  fairest  well  that  ever  he 


286  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 

saw  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot  alighted  and  would  have  drunk 
of  that  well.  And  when  he  stooped  to  drink  of  the  water 
the  water  sank  from  him.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw 
that,  he  turned  and  went  thither  as  the  head  came  from. 
And  in  the  meanwhile  he  trowed  that  himself  and  Sir 
Ector  rode  till  that  they  came  to  a  rich  man's  house 
where  there  was  a  wedding.  And  there  he  saw  a  king  the 
which  said  :  Sir  knight,  here  is  no  place  for  you.  And 
then  he  turned  again  unto  the  chair  that  he  came  from. 

Thus  within  a  while  both  Gawaine  and  Ector  awaked, 
and  either  told  other  of  their  advision,  the  which  marvelled 
them  greatly.  Truly,  said  Ector,  I  shall  never  be  merry 
till  I  hear  tidings  of  my  brother  Launcelot.  Now  as  they 
sat  thus  talking  they  saw  an  hand  showing  unto  the  elbow, 
and  was  covered  with  red  samite,  and  upon  that  hung  a 
bridle  not  right  rich,  and  held  within  the  fist  a  great 
candle  which  burned  right  clear,  and  so  passed  afore  them, 
and  entered  into  the  chapel,  and  then  vanished  away  and 
they  wist  not  where.  And  anon  came  down  a  voice  which 
said :  Knights  of  full  evil  faith  and  of  poor  belief,  these 
two  things  have  failed  you,  and  therefore  ye  may  not  come 
to  the  adventures  of  the  Sangreal. 

Then  first  spake  Gawaine  and  said  :  Ector,  have  ye 
heard  these  words  ?  Yea  truly,  said  Sir  Ector,  I  heard 
all.  Now  go  we,  said  Sir  Ector,  unto  some  hermit  that 
will  tell  us  of  our  advision,  for  it  seemeth  me  we  labour 
all  in  vain.  And  so  they  departed  and  rode  into  a  valley, 
and  there  met  with  a  squire  which  rode  on  an  hackney, 
and  they  saluted  him  fair.  Sir,  said  Gawaine,  can  thou 
teach  us  to  any  hermit  ?  Here  is  one  in  a  little  mountain, 
but  it  is  so  rough  there  may  no  horse  go  thither,  and 
therefore  ye  must  go  upon  foot ;  there  shall  ye  find  a  poor 
house,  and  there. is  Nacien  the  hermit,  which  is  the  holiest 
man  in  this  country.  And  so  they  departed  either  from 
other. 

And  then  in  a  valley  they  met  with  a  knight  all  armed, 
which  proffered  them  to  joust  as  far  as  he  saw  them.  In 
the  name  of  God,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  sith  I  departed  from 
Camel ot  there  was  none  proffered  me  to  joust  but  once. 


CHAP,  ii      OF  THE  VISION  OF  SIR  ECTOR  287 

And  now,  sir,  said  Ector,  let  me  joust  with  him.  Nay, 
said  Gawaine,  ye  shall  not  but  if  I  be  beat ;  it  shall  not 
for-think  me  then  if  ye  go  after  me.  And  then  either 
embraced  other  to  joust  and  came  together  as  fast  as  their 
horses  might  run,  and  brast  their  shields  and  the  mails, 
and  the  one  more  than  the  other  ;  and  Gawaine  was 
wounded  in  the  left  side,  but  the  other  knight  was  smitten 
through  the  breast,  and  the  spear  came  out  on  the  other 
side,  and  so  they  fell  both  out  of  their  saddles,  and  in  the 
falling  they  brake  both  their  spears. 

Anon  Gawaine  arose  and  set  his  hand  to  his  sword, 
and  cast  his  shield  afore  him.  But  all  for  naught  was  it, 
for  the  knight  had  no  power  to  arise  against  him.  Then 
said  Gawaine  :  Ye  must  yield  you  as  an  overcome  man,  or 
else  I  may  slay  you.  Ah,  sir  knight,  said  he,  I  am  but 
dead,  for  God's  sake  and  of  your  gentleness  lead  me  here 
unto  an  abbey  that  I  may  receive  my  Creator.  Sir,  said 
Gawaine,  I  know  no  house  of  religion  hereby.  Sir,  said 
the  knight,  set  me  on  an  horse  to-fore  you,  and  I  shall 
teach  you.  Gawaine  set  him  up  in  the  saddle,  and  he 
leapt  up  behind  him  for  to  sustain  him,  and  so  came  to 
an  abbey  where  they  were  well  received ;  and  anon  he 
was  unarmed,  and  received  his  Creator.  Then  he  prayed 
Gawaine  to  draw  out  the  truncheon  of  the  spear  out  of  his 
body.  Then  Gawaine  asked  him  what  he  was,  that  knew 
him  not.  I  am,  said  he,  of  King  Arthur's  court,  and  was 
a  fellow  of  the  Round  Table,  and  we  were  brethren  sworn 
together  ;  and  now  Sir  Gawaine,  thou  hast  slain  me,  and 
my  name  is  Uwaine  les  Avoutres,  that  sometime  was  son 
unto  King  Uriens,  and  was  in  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal ; 
and  now  forgive  it  thee  God,  for  it  shall  ever  be  said  that 
the  one  sworn  brother  hath  slain  the  other. 


288  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 


CHAPTER   III 

How  Sir  Gawaine  and  Sir  Ector  came  to  an  hermitage  to  be 
confessed,  and  how  they  told  to  the  hermit  their  advisions. 

ALAS,  said  Gawaine,  that  ever  this  misadventure  is  befallen 
me.  No  force,  said  Uwaine,  sith  I  shall  die  this  death,  of 
a  much  more  worshipfuller  man's  hand  might  I  not  die  ; 
but  when  ye  come  to  the  court  recommend  me  unto  my 
lord,  King  Arthur,  and  all  those  that  be  left  alive,  and  for 
old  brotherhood  think  on  me.  Then  began  Gawaine  to 
weep,  and  Ector  also.  And  then  Uwaine  himself  and  Sir 
Gawaine  drew  out  the  truncheon  of  the  spear,  and  anon 
departed  the  soul  from  the  body.  Then  Sir  Gawaine  and 
Sir  Ector  buried  him  as  men  ought  to  bury  a  king's  son, 
and  made  write  upon  his  name,  and  by  whom  he  was 
slain. 

Then  departed  Gawaine  and  Ector,  as  heavy  as  they 
might  for  their  misadventure,  and  so  rode  till  that  they 
came  to  the  rough  mountain,  acid  there  they  tied  their 
horses  and  went  on  foot  to  the  hermitage.  And  when 
they  were  come  up  they  saw  a  poor  house,  and  beside 
the  chapel  a  little  courtelage,  where  Nacien  the  hermit 
gathered  worts,  as  he  which  had  tasted  none  other  meat 
of  a  great  while.  And  when  he  saw  the  errant  knights  he 
came  toward  them  and  saluted  them,  and  they  him  again. 
Fair  lords,  said  he,  what  adventure  brought  you  hither  ? 
Sir,  said  Gawaine,  to  speak  with  you  for  to  be  confessed. 
Sir,  said  the  hermit,  I  am  ready.  Then  they  told  him  so 
much  that  he  wist  well  what  they  were.  And  then  he 
thought  to  counsel  them  if  he  might. 

Then  began  Gawaine  first  and  told  him  of  his  advision 
that  he  had  had  in  the  chapel,  and  Ector  told  him  all  as  it  is 
afore  rehearsed.  Sir,  said  the  hermit  unto  Sir  Gawaine,  the 
fair  meadow  and  the  rack  therein  ought  to  be  understood  the 
Round  Table,  and  by  the  meadow  ought  to  be  understood 
humility  and  patience,  those  be  the  things  which  be  always 


CHAP,  iv        THEIR  VISION  EXPOUNDED  289 

green  and  quick ;  for  men  may  no  time  overcome  humility 
and  patience,  therefore  was  the  Round  Table  founded; 
and  the  chivalry  hath  been  at  all  times  so  by  the  fraternity 
which  was  there  that  she  might  not  be  overcome  ;  for  men 
said  she  was  founded  in  patience  and  in  humility.  At  the 
rack  ate  an  hundred  and  fifty  bulls  ;  but  they  ate  not  in 
the  meadow,  for  their  hearts  should  be  set  in  humility  and 
patience,  and  the  bulls  were  proud  and  black,  save  only 
three.  By  the  bulls  is  to  understand  the  fellowship  of 
the  Round  Table,  which  for  their  sin  and  their  wickedness 
be  black.  Blackness  is  to  say  without  good  or  virtuous 
works.  And  the  three  bulls  which  were  white  save  only 
one  that  was  spotted  :  the  two  white  betoken  Sir  Galahad 
and  Sir  Percivale,  for  they  be  maidens  clean  and  without 
spot ;  and  the  third  that  had  a  spot  signifieth  Sir  Bors  de 
Ganis,  which  trespassed  but  once  in  his  virginity,  but 
sithen  he  kept  himself  so  well  in  chastity  that  all  is  for- 
given him  and  his  misdeeds.  And  why  those  three  were 
tied  by  the  necks,  they  be  three  knights  in  virginity  and 
chastity,  and  there  is  no  pride  smitten  in  them.  And  the 
black  bulls  which  said  :  Go  we  hence,  they  were  those 
which  at  Pentecost  at  the  high  feast  took  upon  them  to  go 
in  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal  without  confession  :  they 
might  not  enter  in  the  meadow  of  humility  and  patience. 
And  therefore  they  returned  into  waste  countries,  that 
signifieth  death,  for  there  shall  die  many  of  them  :  everych 
of  them  shall  slay  other  for  sin,  and  they  that  shall 
escape  shall  be  so  lean  that  it  shall  be  marvel  to  see  them. 
And  of  the  three  bulls  without  spot,  the  one  shall  come 
again,  and  the  other  two  never. 


CHAPTER   IV 

How  the  hermit  expounded  their  advision. 

THEN  spake  Nacien  unto  Ector  :  Sooth  it  is  that  Launce- 
lot  and  ye  came  down  ofF  one  chair  :  the  chair  betokeneth 

VOL.  II  U 


290  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 

mastership  and  lordship  which  ye  came  down  from.  But 
ye  two  knights,  said  the  hermit,  ye  go  to  seek  that  ye  shall 
never  find,  that  is  the  Sangreal ;  for  it  is  the  secret  thing  of 
our  Lord  Jesu  Christ.  What  is  to  mean  that  Sir  Launcelot 
fell  down  off  his  horse  :  he  hath  left  pride  and  taken  him 
to  humility,  for  he  hath  cried  mercy  loud  for  his  sin,  and 
sore  repented  him,  and  our  Lord  hath  clothed  him  in  his 
clothing  which  is  full  of  knots,  that  is  the  hair  that  he 
weareth  daily.  And  the  ass  that  he  rode  upon  is  a  beast 
of  humility,  for  God  would  not  ride  upon  no  steed,  nor 
upon  no  palfrey  ;  so  in  ensample  that  an  ass  betokeneth 
meekness,  that  thou  sawest  Sir  Launcelot  ride  on  in  thy 
sleep.  And  the  well  whereas  the  water  sank  from  him 
when  he  should  have  taken  thereof,  and  when  he  saw  he 
might  not  have  it,  he  returned  thither  from  whence  he 
came,  for  the  well  betokeneth  the  high  grace  of  God,  the 
more  men  desire  it  to  take  it,  the  more  shall  be  their 
desire.  So  when  he  came  nigh  the  Sangreal,  he  meeked 
him  that  he  held  him  not  a  man  worthy  to  be  so  nigh  the 
Holy  Vessel,  for  he  had  been  so  defouled  in  deadly  sin  by 
the  space  of  many  years  ;  yet  when  he  kneeled  to  drink  of 
the  well,  there  he  saw  great  providence  of  the  Sangreal. 
And  for  he  had  served  so  long  the  devil,  he  shall  have 
vengeance  four-and-twenty  days  long,  for  that  he  hath 
been  the  devil's  servant  four-and-twenty  years.  And 
then  soon  after  he  shall  return  unto  Camelot  out  of  this 
country,  and  he  shall  say  a  part  of  such  things  as  he  hath 
found. 

Now  will  I  tell  you  what  betokeneth  the  hand  with  the 
candle  and  the  bridle  :  that  is  to  understand  the  Holy 
Ghost  where  charity  is  ever,  and  the  bridle  signifieth 
abstinence.  For  when  she  is  bridled  in  Christian  man's 
heart  she  holdeth  him  so  short  that  he  falleth  not  in  deadly 
sin.  And  the  candle  which  sheweth  clearness  and  sight 
signifieth  the  right  way  of  Jesu  Christ.  And  when  he 
went  and  said  :  Knights  of  poor  faith  and  of  wicked 
belief,  these  three  things  failed,  charity,  abstinence,  and 
truth  ;  therefore  ye  may  not  attain  that  high  adventure  of 
the  Sangreal. 


CH.  v  THE  HERMIT'S  COUNSEL  TO  GAWAINE  291 

CHAPTER   V 

Of  the  good  counsel  that  the  hermit  gave  to  them. 

CERTES,  said  Gawaine,  soothly  have  ye  said,  that  I  see  it 
openly.  Now,  I  pray  you,  good  man  and  holy  father,  tell 
me  why  we  met  not  with  so  many  adventures  as  we  were 
wont  to  do,  and  commonly  have  the  better.  I  shall  tell 
you  gladly,  said  the  good  man  ;  the  adventure  of  the 
Sangreal  which  ye  and  many  other  have  undertaken  the 
quest  of  it  and  find  it  not,  the  cause  is  for  it  appeareth 
not  to  sinners.  Wherefore  marvel  not  though  ye  fail 
thereof,  and  many  other.  For  ye  be  an  untrue  knight, 
and  a  great  murderer,  and  to  good  men  signifieth  other 
things  than  murder.  For  I  dare  say,  as  sinful  as  Sir 
Launcelot  hath  been,  sith  that  he  went  into  the  quest  of 
the  Sangreal  he  slew  never  man,  nor  nought  shall,  till  that 
he  come  unto  Camelot  again,  for  he  hath  taken  upon  him 
for  to  forsake  sin.  And  nere  that  he  nis  not  stable,  but 
by  his  thought  he  is  likely  to  turn  again,  he  should  be  next 
to  enchieve  it  save  Galahad,  his  son.  But  God  knoweth  his 
thought  and  his  unstableness,  and  yet  shall  he  die  right  an 
holy  man,  and  no  doubt  he  hath  no  fellow  of  no  earthly 
sinful  man.  Sir,  said  Gawaine,  it  seemeth  me  by  your  words 
that  for  our  sins  it  will  not  avail  us  to  travel  in  this  quest. 
Truly,  said  the  good  man,  there  be  an  hundred  such  as  ye 
be  that  never  shall  prevail,  but  to  have  shame.  And  when 
they  had  heard  these  voices  they  commended  him  unto 
God. 

Then  the  good  man  called  Gawaine,  and  said  :  It  is 
long  time  passed  sith  that  ye  were  made  knight,  and  never 
sithen  thou  servedst  thy  Maker,  and  now  thou  art  so  old 
a  tree  that  in  thee  is  neither  life  nor  fruit ;  wherefore  be- 
think thee  that  thou  yield  to  Our  Lord  the  bare  rind,  sith 
the  fiend  hath  the  leaves  and  the  fruit.  Sir,  said  Gawaine, 
an  I  had  leisure  I  would  speak  with  you,  but  my  fellow 
here,  Sir  Ector,  is  gone,  and  abideth  me  yonder  beneath 


MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 

the  hill.  Well,  said  the  good  man,  thou  were  better  to  be 
counselled.  Then  departed  Gawaine  and  came  to  Ector, 
and  so  took  their  horses  and  rode  till  they  came  to  a 
forester's  house,  which  harboured  them  right  well.  And 
on  the  morn  they  departed  from  their  host,  and  rode  long 
or  they  could  find  any  adventure. 


CHAPTER  VI 

How  Sir  Bors  met  with  an  hermit ,  and  how  "he  was  confessed 
to  him,  and  of  his  penance  enjoined  to  him. 

WHEN  Bors  was  departed  from  Camelot  he  met  with  a 
religious  man  riding  on  an  ass,  and  Sir  Bors  saluted  him. 
Anon  the  good  man  knew  him  that  he  was  one  of  the 
knights-errant  that  was  in  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal. 
What  are  ye  ?  said  the  good  man.  Sir,  said  he,  I  am 
a  knight  that  fain  would  be  counselled  in  the  quest  of  the 
Sangreal,  for  he  shall  have  much  earthly  worship  that  may 
bring  it  to  an  end.  Certes,  said  the  good  man,  that  is  sooth, 
for  he  shall  be  the  best  knight  of  the  world,  and  the  fairest 
of  all  the  fellowship.  But  wit  you  well  there  shall  none 
attain  it  but  by  cleanness,  that  is  pure  confession. 

So  rode  they  together  till  that  they  came  to  an  hermit- 
age. And  there  he  prayed  Bors  to  dwell  all  that  night 
with  him.  And  so  he  alighted  and  put  away  his  armour, 
and  prayed  him  that  he  might  be  confessed  ;  and  so  they 
went  into  the  chapel,  and  there  he  was  clean  confessed,  and 
they  ate  bread  and  drank  water  together.  Now,  said  the 
good  man,  I  pray  thee  that  thou  eat  none  other  till  that 
thou  sit  at  the  table  where  the  Sangreal  shall  be.  Sir,  said 
he,  I  agree  me  thereto,  but  how  wit  ye  that  I  shall  sit 
there.  Yes,  said  the  good  man,  that  know  I,  but  there 
shall  be  but  few  of  your  fellows  with  you.  All  is  welcome, 
said  Sir  Bors,  that  God  sendeth  me.  Also,  said  the  good 
man,  instead  of  a  shirt,  and  in  sign  of  chastisement,  ye 
shall  wear  a  garment ;  therefore  I  pray  you  do  off  all  your 


CHAP,  vii      OF  SIR  BORS  AND  THE  LADY  293 

clothes  and  your  shirt :  and  so  he  did.  And  then  he  took 
him  a  scarlet  coat,  so  that  should  be  instead  of  his  shirt  till 
he  had  fulfilled  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal ;  and  the  good 
man  found  in  him  so  marvellous  a  life  and  so  stable,  that 
he  marvelled  and  felt  that  he  was  never  corrupt  in  fleshly 
lusts,  but  in  one  time  that  he  begat  Elian  le  Blank. 

Then  he  armed  him,  and  took  his  leave,  and  so 
departed.  And  so  a  little  from  thence  he  looked  up  into 
a  tree,  and  there  he  saw  a  passing  great  bird  upon  an  old 
tree,  and  it  was  passing  dry,  without  leaves  ;  and  the  bird 
sat  above,  and  had  birds,  the  which  were  dead  for  hunger. 
So  smote  he  himself  with  his  beak,  the  which  was  great 
and  sharp.  And  so  the  great  bird  bled  till  that  he  died 
among  his  birds.  And  the  young  birds  took  the  life  by 
the  blood  of  the  great  bird.  When  Bors  saw  this  he  wist 
well  it  was  a  great  tokening  ;  for  when  he  saw  the  great 
bird  arose  not,  then  he  took  his  horse  and  yede  his  way. 
So  by  evensong,  by  adventure  he  came  to  a  strong  tower 
and  an  high,  and  there  was  he  lodged  gladly. 


CHAPTER   VII 

How  Sir  Bors  was  lodged  with  a  lady^  and  how  he  took  upon 
him  for  to  fight  against  a  champion  for  her  land. 

AND  when  he  was  unarmed  they  led  him  into  an  high 
tower  where  was  a  lady,  young,  lusty,  and  fair.  And  she 
received  him  with  great  joy,  and  made  him  to  sit  down  by 
her,  and  so  was  he  set  to  sup  with  flesh  and  many  dainties. 
And  when  Sir  Bors  saw  that,  he  bethought  him  on  his 
penance,  and  bade  a  squire  to  bring  him  water.  And  so 
he  brought  him,  and  he  made  sops  therein  and  ate  them. 
Ah,  said  the  lady,  I  trow  ye  like  not  my  meat.  Yes, 
truly,  said  Sir  Bors,  God  thank  you,  madam,  but  I  may 
eat  none  other  meat  this  day.  Then  she  spake  no  more 
as  at  that  time,  for  she  was  loath  to  displease  him.  Then 
after  supper  they  spake  of  one  thing  and  other. 


294  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 

With  that  came  a  squire  and  said  :  Madam,  ye  must 
purvey  you  to-morn  for  a  champion,  for  else  your  sister 
will  have  this  castle  and  also  your  lands,  except  ye  can 
find  a  knight  that  will  fight  to-morn  in  your  quarrel 
against  Pridam  le  Noire.  Then  she  made  sorrow  and 
said  :  Ah,  Lord  God,  wherefore  granted  ye  to  hold  my 
land,  whereof  I  should  now  be  disherited  without  reason 
and  right  ?  And  when  Sir  Bors  had  heard  her  say  thus, 
he  said  :  I  shall  comfort  you.  Sir,  said  she,  I  shall  tell 
you  there  was  here  a  king  that  hight  Aniause,  which  held 
all  this  land  in  his  keeping.  So  it  mishapped  he  loved  a 
gentlewoman  a  great  deal  elder  than  I.  So  took  he  her 
all  this  land  to  her  keeping,  and  all  his  men  to  govern  ; 
and  she  brought  up  many  evil  customs  whereby  she  put  to 
death  a  great  part  of  his  kinsmen.  And  when  he  saw  that, 
he  let  chase  her  out  of  this  land,  and  betook  it  me,  and  all 
this  land  in  my  demesnes.  But  anon  as  that  worthy  king 
was  dead,  this  other  lady  began  to  war  upon  me,  and  hath 
destroyed  many  of  my  men,  and  turned  them  against  me, 
that  I  have  well-nigh  no  man  left  me  ;  and  I  have  nought 
else  but  this  high  tower  that  she  left  me.  And  yet  she 
hath  promised  me  to  have  this  tower,  without  I  can  find  a 
knight  to  fight  with  her  champion. 

Now  tell  me,  said  Sir  Bors,  what  is  that  Pridam  le 
Noire  ?  Sir,  said  she,  he  is  the  most  doubted  man  of  this 
land.  Now  may  ye  send  her  word  that  ye  have  found  a 
knight  that  shall  fight  with  that  Pridam  le  Noire  in  God's 
quarrel  and  yours.  Then  that  lady  was  not  a  little  glad, 
and  sent  word  that  she  was  purveyed,  and  that  night  Bors 
had  good  cheer  ;  but  in  no  bed  he  would  come,  but  laid 
him  on  the  floor,  nor  never  would  do  otherwise  till  that 
he  had  met  with  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal. 


CHAP,  vni        OF  A  VISION  OF  SIR  BORS  295 


CHAPTER  VIII 

Of  an  advision  which  Sir  Bars  had  that  night,  and  how  he 
fought  and  overcame  his  adversary. 

AND  anon  as  he  was  asleep  him  befell  a  vision,  that  there 
came  to  him  two  birds,  the  one  as  white  as  a  swan,  and 
the  other  was  marvellous  black ;  but  it  was  not  so  great 
as  the  other,  but  in  the  likeness  of  a  Raven.  Then  the 
white  bird  came  to  him,  and  said  :  An  thou  wouldst  give 
me  meat  and  serve  me  I  should  give  thee  all  the  riches  of 
the  world,  and  I  shall  make  thee  as  fair  and  as  white  as  I 
am.  So  the  white  bird  departed,  and  there  came  the  black 
bird  to  him,  and  said  :  An  thou  wolt,  serve  me  to-morrow 
and  have  me  in  no  despite  though  I  be  black,  for  wit  thou 
well  that  more  availeth  my  blackness  than  the  other's 
whiteness.  And  then  he  departed. 

Ajid  he  had  another  vision  :  him  thought  that  he 
came  to  a  great  place  which  seemed  a  chapel,  and  there  he 
found  a  chair  set  on  the  left  side,  which  was  worm-eaten 
and  feeble.  And  on  the  right  hand  were  two  flowers  like 
a  lily,  and  the  one  would  have  benome  the  other's  white- 
ness, but  a  good  man  departed  them  that  the  one  touched 
not  the  other ;  and  then  out  of  every  flower  came  out 
many  flowers,  and  fruit  great  plenty.  Then  him  thought 
the  good  man  said  :  Should  not  he  do  great  folly  that 
would  let  these  two  flowers  perish  for  to  succour  the 
rotten  tree,  that  it  fell  not  to  the  earth  ?  Sir,  said  he,  it 
seemeth  me  that  this  wood  might  not  avail.  Now  keep 
thee,  said  the  good  man,  that  thou  never  see  such  adven- 
ture befall  thee. 

Then  he  awaked  and  made  a  sign  of  the  cross  in  midst 
of  the  forehead,  and  so  rose  and  clothed  him.  And  there 
came  the  lady  of  the  place,  and  she  saluted  him,  and  he 
her  again,  and  so  went  to  a  chapel  and  heard  their  service. 
And  there  came  a  company  of  knights,  that  the  lady  had 
sent  for,  to  lead  Sir  Bors  unto  battle.  Then  asked  he  his 


296  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 

arms.  And  when  he  was  armed  she  prayed  him  to  take  a 
little  morsel  to  dine.  Nay,  madam,  said  he,  that  shall  I 
not  do  till  I  have  done  my  battle,  by  the  grace  of  God. 
And  so  he  leapt  upon  his  horse,  and  departed,  all  the 
knights  and  men  with  him.  And  as  soon  as  these  two 
ladies  met  together,  she  which  Bors  should  fight  for  com- 
plained her,  and  said  :  Madam,  ye  have  done  me  wrong 
to  bereave  me  of  my  lands  that  King  Aniause  gave  me, 
and  full  loath  I  am  there  should  be  any  battle.  Ye  shall 
not  choose,  said  the  other  lady,  or  else  your  knight  with- 
draw him. 

Then  there  was  the  cry  made,  which  party  had  the 
better  of  the  two  knights,  that  his  lady  should  rejoice  all 
the  land.  Now  departed  the  one  knight  here,  and  the 
other  there.  Then  they  came  together  with  such  a 
raundon  that  they  pierced  their  shields  and  their  hauberks, 
and  the  spears  flew  in  pieces,  and  they  wounded  either 
other  sore.  Then  hurtled  they  together,  so  that  they  fell 
both  to  the  earth,  and  their  horses  betwixt  their  legs ;  and 
anon  they  arose,  and  set  hands  to  their  swords,  and  smote 
each  one  other  upon  the  heads,  that  they  made  great 
wounds  and  deep,  that  the  blood  went  out  of  their  bodies. 
For  there  found  Sir  Bors  greater  defence  in  that  knight 
more  than  he  weened.  For  that  Pridam  was  a  passing 
good  knight,  and  he  wounded  Sir  Bors  full  evil,  and  he 
him  again  ;  but  ever  this  Pridam  held  the  stour  in  like 
hard.  That  perceived  Sir  Bors,  and  suffered  him  till  he 
was  nigh  attaint.  And  then  he  ran  upon  him  more  and 
more,  and  the  other  went  back  for  dread  of  death.  So  in 
his  withdrawing  he  fell  upright,  and  Sir  Bors  drew  his 
helm  so  strongly  that  he  rent  it  from  his  head,  and  gave 
him  great  strokes  with  the  flat  of  his  sword  upon  the 
visage,  and  bade  him  yield  him  or  he  should  slay  him. 
Then  he  cried  him  mercy  and  said  :  Fair  knight,  for  God's 
love  slay  me  not,  and  I  shall  ensure  thee  never  to  war 
against  thy  lady,  but  be  alway  toward  her.  Then  Bors 
let  him  be  ;  then  the  old  lady  fled  with  all  her  knights. 


CHAP,  ix    HOW  SIR  BORS  MET  SIR  LIONEL         297 


CHAPTER   IX 

How  the  lady  was  returned  to  her  lands  by  the  battle  of  Sir 
Bars,  and  of  his  departing,  and  how  he  met  Sir  Lionel 
taken  and  beaten  with  thorns,  and  also  of  a  maid  which 
should  have  been  devoured. 

So  then  came  Bors  to  all  those  that  held  lands  of  his  lady, 
and  said  he  should  destroy  them  but  if  they  did  such 
service  unto  her  as  longed  to  their  lands.  So  they  did 
their  homage,  and  they  that  would  not  were  chased  out  of 
their  lands.  Then  befell  that  young  lady  to  come  to  her 
estate  again,  by  the  mighty  prowess  of  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis. 
So  when  all  the  country  was  well  set  in  peace,  then  Sir 
Bors  took  his  leave  and  departed  ;  and  she  thanked  him 
greatly,  and  would  have  given  him  great  riches,  but  he 
refused  it. 

Then  he  rode  all  that  day  till  night,  and  came  to  an 
harbour  to  a  lady  which  knew  him  well  enough,  and  made 
of  him  great  joy.  Upon  the  morn,  as  soon  as  the  day 
appeared,  Bors  departed  from  thence,  and  so  rode  into  a 
forest  unto  the  hour  of  midday,  and  there  befell  him  a 
marvellous  adventure.  So  he  met  at  the  departing  of  the 
two  ways  two  knights  that  led  Lionel,  his  brother,  all 
naked,  bounden  upon  a  strong  hackney,  and  his  hands 
bounden  to-fore  his  breast.  And  everych  of  them  held 
in  his  hands  thorns  wherewith  they  went  beating  him  so 
sore  that  the  blood  trailed  down  more  than  in  an  hundred 
places  of  his  body,  so  that  he  was  all  blood  to-fore  and 
behind,  but  he  said  never  a  word  ;  as  he  which  was  great 
of  heart  he  suffered  all  that  ever  they  did  to  him,  as 
though  he  had  felt  none  anguish. 

Anon  Sir  Bors  dressed  him  to  rescue  him  that  was  his 
brother  ;  and  so  he  looked  upon  the  other  side  of  him, 
and  saw  a  knight  which  brought  a  fair  gentlewoman,  and 
would  have  set  her  in  the  thickest  place  of  the  forest  for 
to  have  been  the  more  surer  out  of  the  way  from  them 


298  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK:  xvi 

that  sought  him.  And  she  which  was  nothing  assured 
cried  with  an  high  voice  :  Saint  Mary  succour  your  maid. 
And  anon  she  espied  where  Sir  Bors  came  riding.  And 
when  she  came  nigh  him  she  deemed  him  a  knight  of  the 
Round  Table,  whereof  she  hoped  to  have  some  comfort ; 
and  then  she  conjured  him  :  By  the  faith  that  he  ought 
unto  Him  in  whose  service  thou  art  entered  in,  and  for 
the  faith  ye  owe  unto  the  high  order  of  knighthood,  and 
for  the  noble  King  Arthur's  sake,  that  I  suppose  made 
thee  knight,  that  thou  help  me,  and  suffer  me  not  to  be 
shamed  of  this  knight.  When  Bors  heard  her  say  thus  he 
had  so  much  sorrow  there  he  nist  not  what  to  do.  For  if 
I  let  my  brother  be  in  adventure  he  must  be  slain,  and 
that  would  I  not  for  all  the  earth.  And  if  I  help  not  the 
maid  she  is  shamed  for  ever,  and  also  she  shall  lose  her 
virginity  the  which  she  shall  never  get  again.  Then  lift 
he  up  his  eyes  and  said  weeping  :  Fair  sweet  Lord  Jesu 
Christ,  whose  liege  man  I  am,  keep  Lionel,  my  brother, 
that  these  knights  slay  him  not,  and  for  pity  of  you,  and 
for  Mary's  sake,  I  shall  succour  this  maid. 


CHAPTER  X 

How  Sir  Bors  left  to  rescue  his  brother,  and  rescued  the 
damosel ;  and  how  it  was  told  him  that  Lionel  was  dead. 

THEN  dressed  he  him  unto  the  knight  the  which  had  the 
gentlewoman,  and  then  he  cried  :  Sir  knight,  let  your 
hand  off  that  maiden,  or  ye  be  but  dead.  And  then  he 
set  down  the  maiden,  and  was  armed  at  all  pieces  save  he 
lacked  his  spear.  Then  he  dressed  his  shield,  and  drew 
out  his  sword,  and  Bors  smote  him  so  hard  that  it  went 
through  his  shield  and  habergeon  on  the  left  shoulder. 
And  through  great  strength  he  beat  him  down  to  the 
earth,  and  at  the  pulling  out  of  Bors'  spear  there  he 
swooned.  Then  came  Bors  to  the  maid  and  said :  How 
seemeth  it  you  ?  of  this  knight  ye  be  delivered  at  this 


CH.  x     HOW  BORS  RESCUED  THE  DAMOSEL       299 

time.  Now  sir,  said  she,  I  pray  you  lead  me  thereas  this 
knight  had  me.  So  shall  I  do  gladly  :  and  took  the  horse 
of  the  wounded  knight,  and  set  the  gentlewoman  upon 
him,  and  so  brought  her  as  she  desired.  Sir  knight,  said 
she,  ye  have  better  sped  than  ye  weened,  for  an  I  had  lost 
my  maidenhead,  five  hundred  men  should  have  died  for  it. 
What  knight  was  he  that  had  you  in  the  forest  ?  By  my 
faith,  said  she,  he  is  my  cousin.  So  wot  I  never  with  what 
engine  the  fiend  enchafed  him,  for  yesterday  he  took  me 
from  my  father  privily  ;  for  I,  nor  none  of  my  father's 
men,  mistrusted  him  not,  and  if  he  had  had  my  maidenhead 
he  should  have  died  for  the  sin,  and  his  body  shamed  and 
dishonoured  for  ever.  Thus  as  she  stood  talking  with 
him  there  came  twelve  knights  seeking  after  her,  and  anon 
she  told  them  all  how  Bors  had  delivered  her  ;  then  they 
made  great  joy,  and  besought  him  to  come  to  her  father, 
a  great  lord,  and  he  should  be  right  welcome.  Truly,  said 
Bors,  that  may  not  be  at  this  time,  for  I  have  a  great 
adventure  to  do  in  this  country.  So  he  commended  them 
unto  God  and  departed. 

Then  Sir  Bors  rode  after  Lionel,  his  brother,  by  the 
trace  of  their  horses,  thus  he  rode  seeking  a  great  while. 
Then  he  overtook  a  man  clothed  in  a  religious  clothing, 
and  rode  on  a  strong  black  horse  blacker  than  a  berry,  and 
said  :  Sir  knight,  what  seek  you  ?  Sir,  said  he,  I  seek  my 
brother  that  I  saw  within  a  while  beaten  with  two  knights. 
Ah,  Bors,  discomfort  you  not,  nor  fall  into  no  wanhope, 
for  I  shall  tell  you  tidings  such  as  they  be,  for  truly  he  is 
dead.  Then  showed  he  him  a  new  slain  body  lying  in  a 
bush,  and  it  seemed  him  well  that  it  was  the  body  of  Lionel ; 
and  then  he  made  such  a  sorrow  that  he  fell  to  the  earth 
all  in  a  swoon,  and  lay  a  great  while  there.  And  when  he 
came  to  himself  he  said  :  Fair  brother,  sith  the  company 
of  you  and  me  is  departed  shall  I  never  have  joy  in  my 
heart,  and  now  He  which  I  have  taken  unto  my  master, 
He  be  my  help.  And  when  he  had  said  thus  he  took  his 
body  lightly  in  his  arms,  and  put  it  upon  the  arson  of  his 
saddle.  And  then  he  said  to  the  man  :  Canst  thou  tell  me 
unto  some  chapel  where  that  I  may  bury  this  body  ?  Come 


300  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 

on,  said  he,  here  is  one  fast  by ;  and  so  long  they  rode 
till  they  saw  a  fair  tower,  and  afore  it  there  seemed  an  old 
feeble  chapel.  And  then  they  alighted  both,  and  put  him 
into  a  tomb  of  marble. 


CHAPTER   XI 

How  Sir  Bors  told  his  dream  to  a  priest,  which  he  had 
dreamed,  and  of  the  counsel  that  the  priest  gave  to  him. 

Now  leave  we  him  here,  said  the  good  man,  and  go  we 
to  our  harbour  till  to-morrow  ;  we  will  come  here  again 
to  do  him  service.  Sir,  said  Bors,  be  ye  a  priest  ?  Yea 
forsooth,  said  he.  Then  I  pray  you  tell  me  a  dream  that 
befell  to  me  the  last  night.  Say  on,  said  he.  Then  he 
began  so  much  to  tell  him  of  the  great  bird  in  the  forest, 
and  after  told  him  of  his  birds,  one  white,  another  black, 
and  of  the  rotten  tree,  and  of  the  white  flowers.  Sir,  I 
shall  tell  you  a  part  now,  and  the  other  deal  to-morrow. 
The  white  fowl  betokeneth  a  gentlewoman,  fair  and  rich, 
which  loved  thee  paramours,  and  hath  loved  thee  long  ; 
and  if  thou  warn  her  love  she  shall  go  die  anon,  if  thou 
have  no  pity  on  her.  That  signifieth  the  great  bird,  the 
which  shall  make  thee  to  warn  her.  Now  for  no  fear  that 
thou  hast,  ne  for  no  dread  that  thou  hast  of  God,  thou 
shalt  not  warn  her,  but  thou  wouldst  not  do  it  for  to  be 
holden  chaste,  for  to  conquer  the  loos  of  the  vain  glory  of 
the  world ;  for  that  shall  befall  thee  now  an  thou  warn 
her,  that  Launcelot,  the  good  knight,  thy  cousin,  shall  die. 
And  therefore  men  shall  now  say  that  thou  art  a  manslayer, 
both  of  thy  brother,  Sir  Lionel,  and  of  thy  cousin,  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake,  the  which  thou  mightest  have  saved  and 
rescued  easily,  but  thou  weenedst  to  rescue  a  maid  which 
pertaineth  nothing  to  thee.  Now  look  thou  whether  it 
had  been  greater  harm  of  thy  brother's  death,  or  else  to 
have  suffered  her  to  have  lost  her  maidenhood.  Then 
asked  he  him  :  Hast  thou  heard  the  tokens  of  thy  dream 


CHAP,  xi        SIR  BORS  TELLS  HIS  DREAM  301 

the  which  I  have  told  to  you  ?  Yea  forsooth,  said  Sir  Bors, 
all  your  exposition  and  declaring  of  my  dream  I  have  well 
understood  and  heard.  Then  said  the  man  in  this  black 
clothing:  Then  is  it  in  thy  default  if  Sir  Launcelot,  thy 
cousin,  die.  Sir,  said  Bors,  that  were  me  loath,  for  wit  ye 
well  there  is  nothing  in  the  world  but  I  had  liefer  do  it 
than  to  see  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  to  die  in  my 
default.  Choose  ye  now  the  one  or  the  other,  said  the 
good  man. 

And  then  he  led  Sir  Bors  into  an  high  tower,  and  there 
he  found  knights  and  ladies  :  those  ladies  said  he  was 
welcome,  and  so  they  unarmed  him.  And  when  he  was 
in  his  doublet  men  brought  him  a  mantle  furred  with 
ermine,  and  put  it  about  him  ;  and  then  they  made  him 
such  cheer  that  he  had  forgotten  all  his  sorrow  and  anguish, 
and  only  set  his  heart  in  these  delights  and  dainties,  and 
took  no  thought  more  for  his  brother,  Sir  Lionel,  neither 
of  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  his  cousin.  And  anon  came 
out  of  a  chamber  to  him  the  fairest  lady  than  ever  he  saw, 
and  more  richer  beseen  than  ever  he  saw  Queen  Guenever 
or  any  other  estate.  Lo,  said  they,  Sir  Bors,  here  is  the 
lady  unto  whom  we  owe  all  our  service,  and  I  trow  she  be 
the  richest  lady  and  the  fairest  of  all  the  world,  and  the 
which  loveth  you  best  above  all  other  knights,  for  she  will 
have  no  knight  but  you.  And  when  he  understood  that 
language  he  was  abashed.  Not  for  then  she  saluted  him, 
and  he  her ;  and  then  they  sat  down  together  and  spake 
of  many  things,  in  so  much  that  she  besought  him  to  be 
her  love,  for  she  had  loved  him  above  all  earthly  men,  and 
she  should  make  him  richer  than  ever  was  man  of  his  age. 
When  Bors  understood  her  words  he  was  right  evil  at  ease, 
which  in  no  manner  would  not  break  chastity,  so  wist  not 
he  how  to  answer  her. 


302  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 


CHAPTER   XII 

How  the  devil  in  a  woman's  likeness  would  have  had  Sir 
Bars  to  have  lain  by  her,  and  how  by  God's  grace  he 
escaped. 

ALAS,  said  she,  Bors,  shall  ye  not  do  my  will  ?  Madam, 
said  Bors,  there  is  no  lady  in  the  world  whose  will  I  will 
fulfil  as  of  this  thing,  for  my  brother  lieth  dead  which  was 
slain  right  late.  Ah  Bors,  said  she,  I  have  loved  you  long 
for  the  great  beauty  I  have  seen  in  you,  and  the  great 
hardiness  that  I  have  heard  of  you,  that  needs  ye  must  lie 
by  me  this  night,  and  therefore  I  pray  you  grant  it  me. 
Truly,  said  he,  I  shall  not  do  it  in  no  manner  wise.  Then 
she  made  him  such  sorrow  as  though  she  would  have  died. 
Well  Bors,  said  she,  unto  this  have  ye  brought  me,  nigh 
to  mine  end.  And  therewith  she  took  him  by  the  hand, 
and  bade  him  behold  her.  And  ye  shall  see  how  I  shall 
die  for  your  love.  Ah,  said  then  he,  that  shall  I  never  see. 
Then  she  departed  and  went  up  into  an  high  battle- 
ment, and  led  with  her  twelve  gentlewomen  ;  and  when 
they  were  above,  one  of  the  gentlewomen  cried,  and  said  : 
Ah,  Sir  Bors,  gentle  knight  have  mercy  on  us  all,  and 
suffer  my  lady  to  have  her  will,  and  if  ye  do  not  we  must 
suffer  death  with  our  lady,  for  to  fall  down  off  this  high 
tower,  and  if  ye  suffer  us  thus  to  die  for  so  little  a  thing 
all  ladies  and  gentlewomen  will  say  ot  you  dishonour. 
Then  looked  he  upward,  they  seemed  all  ladies  of  great 
estate,  and  richly  and  well  beseen.  Then  had  he  of  them 
great  pity  ;  not  for  that  he  was  uncounselled  in  himself 
that  liefer  he  had  they  all  had  lost  their  souls  than  he  his, 
and  with  that  they  fell  adown  all  at  once  unto  the  earth. 
And  when  he  saw  that,  he  was  all  abashed,  and  had  thereof 
great  marvel.  With  that  he  blessed  his  body  and  his 
visage.  And  anon  he  heard  a  great  noise  and  a  great  cry, 
as  though  all  the  fiends  of  hell  had  been  about  him  ;  and 
therewith  he  saw  neither  tower,  nor  lady,  nor  gentlewoman, 


CH.  xiii    SIR  BORS  FINDS  AN  HOLY  ABBOT         303 

nor  no  chapel  where  he  brought  his  brother  to.  Then 
held  he  up  both  his  hands  to  the  heaven,  and  said  :  Fair 
Father  God,  I  am  grievously  escaped  ;  and  then  he  took 
his  arms  and  his  horse  and  rode  on  his  way. 

Then  he  heard  a  clock  smite  on  his  right  hand  ;  and 
thither  he  came  to  an  abbey  on  his  right  hand,  closed 
with  high  walls,  and  there  was  let  in.  Then  they  supposed 
that  he  was  one  of  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal,  so  they  led 
him  into  a  chamber  and  unarmed  him.  Sirs,  said  Sir 
Bors,  if  there  be  any  holy  man  in  this  house  I  pray  you 
let  me  speak  with  him.  Then  one  of  them  led  him  unto 
the  Abbot,  which  was  in  a  chapel.  And  then  Sir  Bors 
saluted  him,  and  he  him  again.  Sir,  said  Bors,  I  am  a 
knight-errant ;  and  told  him  all  the  adventure  which  he 
had  seen.  Sir  Knight,  said  the  Abbot,  I  wot  not  what  ye 
be,  for  I  weened  never  that  a  knight  of  your  age  might 
have  been  so  strong  in  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ. 
Not  for  then  ye  shall  go  unto  your  rest,  for  I  will  not 
counsel  you  this  day,  it  is  too  late,  and  to-morrow  I  shall 
counsel  you  as  I  can. 


CHAPTER   XIII 

Of  the  holy  communication  of  an  Abbot  to  Sir  Bors,  and  how 
the  Abbot  counselled  him. 

AND  that  night  was  Sir  Bors  served  richly  ;  and  on  the 
morn  early  he  heard  mass,  and  the  Abbot  came  to  him, 
and  bade  him  good  morrow,  and  Bors  to  him  again.  And 
then  he  told  him  he  was  a  fellow  of  the  quest  of  the  San- 
greal, and  how  he  had  charge  of  the  holy  man  to  eat  bread 
and  water.  Then  [said  the  Abbot]  :  Our  Lord  Jesu  Christ 
showed  him  unto  you  in  the  likeness  of  a  soul  that  suffered 
great  anguish  for  us,  since  He  was  put  upon  the  cross,  and 
bled  His  heart-blood  for  mankind  :  there  was  the  token 
and  the  likeness  of  the  Sangreal  that  appeared  afore  you, 
for  the  blood  that  the  great  fowl  bled  revived  the  chickens 


304  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK,  xvi 

from  death  to  life.  And  by  the  bare  tree  is  betokened 
the  world  which  is  naked  and  without  fruit  but  if  it  come 
of  Our  Lord.  Also  the  lady  for  whom  ye  fought  for,  and 
King  Aniause  which  was  lord  there-to-fore,  betokeneth 
Jesu  Christ  which  is  the  King  of  the  world.  And  that  ye 
fought  with  the  champion  for  the  lady,  this  it  betokeneth  : 
for  when  ye  took  the  battle  for  the  lady,  by  her  shall  ye 
understand  the  new  law  of  Jesu  Christ  and  Holy  Church  ; 
and  by  the  other  lady  ye  shall  understand  the  old  law  and 
the  fiend,  which  all  day  warreth  against  Holy  Church, 
therefore  ye  did  your  battle  with  right.  For  ye  be  Jesu 
Christ's  knights,  therefore  ye  ought  to  be  defenders  of 
Holy  Church.  And  by  the  black  bird  might  ye  under- 
stand Holy  Church,  which  sayeth  I  am  black,  but  he  is 
fair.  And  by  the  white  bird  might  men  understand  the 
fiend,  and  I  shall  tell  you  how  the  swan  is  white  without- 
forth,  and  black  within  :  it  is  hypocrisy  which  is  without 
yellow  or  pale,  and  seemeth  without-forth  the  servants  of 
Jesu  Christ,  but  they  be  within  so  horrible  of  filth  and 
sin,  and  beguile  the  world  evil.  Also  when  the  fiend 
appeared  to  thee  in  likeness  of  a  man  of  religion,  and 
blamed  thee  that  thou  left  thy  brother  for  a  lady,  so  led 
thee  where  thou  seemed  thy  brother  was  slain,  but  he  is 
yet  alive  ;  and  all  was  for  to  put  thee  in  error,  and  bring 
thee  unto  wanhope  and  lechery,  for  he  knew  thou  were 
tender  hearted,  and  all  was  for  thou  shouldst  not  find  the 
blessed  adventure  of  the  Sangreal.  And  the  third  fowl 
betokeneth  the  strong  battle  against  the  fair  ladies  which 
were  all  devils.  Also  the  dry  tree  and  the  white  lily  •  the 
dry  tree  betokeneth  thy  brother  Lionel,  which  is  dry  with- 
out virtue,  and  therefore  many  men  ought  to  call  him  the 
rotten  tree,  and  the  worm-eaten  tree,  for  he  is  a  murderer 
and  doth  contrary  to  the  order  of  knighthood.  And  the 
two  white  flowers  signify  two  maidens,  the  one  is  a  knight 
which  was  wounded  the  other  day,  and  the  other  is  the 
gentlewoman  which  ye  rescued  ;  and  why  the  other  flower 
drew  nigh  the  other,  that  was  the  knight  which  would 
have  defouled  her  and  himself  both.  And  Sir  Bors,  ye 
had  been  a  great  fool  and  in  great  peril  for  to  have  seen 


'  Ah,  Sir  Bors,  gentle  knight  have  mercy  on  us  all '  "—  Book  XVI  ,  Chapter  XII. 


CHAP,  xiv    HOW  SIR  BORS  MET  SIR  LIONEL         305 

those  two  flowers  perish  for  to  succour  the  rotten  tree,  for 
an  they  had  sinned  together  they  had  been  damned  ;  and 
for  that  ye  rescued  them  both,  men  might  call  you  a  very 
knight  and  servant  of  Jesu  Christ. 


CHAPTER   XIV 

How  Sir  Bars  met  with  his  brother  Sir  Lionel,  and  how 
Sir  Lionel  would  have  slain  Sir  Bors. 

THEN  went  Sir  Bors  from  thence  and  commended  the 
Abbot  unto  God.  And  then  he  rode  all  that  day,  and 
harboured  with  an  old  lady.  And  on  the  morn  he  rode 
to  a  castle  in  a  valley,  and  there  he  met  with  a  yeoman 
going  a  great  pace  toward  a  forest.  Say  me,  said  Sir  Bors, 
canst  thou  tell  me  of  any  adventure?  Sir,  said  he,  here 
shall  be  under  this  castle  a  great  and  a  marvellous  tourna- 
ment. Of  what  folks  shall  it  be  ?  said  Sir  Bors.  The 
Earl  of  Plains  shall  be  in  the  one  party,  and  the  lady's 
nephew  of  Hervin  on  the  other  party.  Then  Bors 
thought  to  be  there  if  he  might  meet  with  his  brother 
Sir  Lionel,  or  any  other  of  his  fellowship,  which  were  in 
the  quest  of  the  Sangreal.  And  then  he  turned  to  an 
hermitage  that  was  in  the  entry  of  the  forest. 

And  when  he  was  come  thither  he  found  there  Sir 
Lionel,  his  brother,  which  sat  all  armed  at  the  entry  of 
the  chapel  door  for  to  abide  there  harbour  till  on  the 
morn  that  the  tournament  shall  be.  And  when  Sir  Bors 
saw  him  he  had  great  joy  of  him,  that  it  were  marvel  to 
tell  of  his  joy.  And  then  he  alighted  off  his  horse,  and 
said  :  Fair  sweet  brother,  when  came  ye  hither  ?  Anon 
as  Lionel  saw  him  he  said  :  Ah  Bors,  ye  may  not  make 
none  avaunt,  but  as  for  you  I  might  have  been  slain  ; 
when  ye  saw  two  knights  leading  me  away  beating  me, 
ye  left  me  for  to  succour  a  gentlewoman,  and  suffered  me 
in  peril  of  death  ;  for  never  erst  ne  did  no  brother  to 
another  so  great  an  untruth.  And  for  that  misdeed  now 
I  ensure  you  but  death,  for  well  have  ye  deserved  it ; 

VOL.  II  X 


306  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 

therefore  keep  thee  from  henceforward,  and  that  shall  ye 
find  as  soon  as  I  am  armed.  When  Sir  Bors  understood 
his  brother's  wrath  he  kneeled  down  to  the  earth  and  cried 
him  mercy,  holding  up  both  his  hands,  and  prayed  him  to 
forgive  him  his  evil  will.  Nay,  said  Lionel,  that  shall 
never  be  an  I  may  have  the  higher  hand,  that  I  make 
mine  avow  to  God,  thou  shalt  have  death  for  it,  for  it 
were  pity  ye  Jived  any  longer. 

Right  so  he  went  in  and  took  his  harness,  and  mounted 
upon  his  horse,  and  came  to-fore  him  and  said  :  Bors, 
keep  thee  from  me,  for  I  shall  do  to  thee  as  I  would  to  a 
felon  or  a  traitor,  for  ye  be  the  untruest  knight  that  ever 
came  out  of  so  worthy  an  house  as  was  King  Bors  de 
Ganis  which  was  our  father,  therefore  start  upon  thy 
horse,  and  so  shall  ye  be  most  at  your  advantage.  And 
but  if  ye  will  I  will  run  upon  you  thereas  ye  stand  upon 
foot,  and  so  the  shame  shall  be  mine  and  the  harm  yours, 
but  of  that  shame  ne  reck  I  nought. 

When  Sir  Bors  saw  that  he  must  fight  with  his  brother 
or  else  to  die,  he  nist  what  to  do  ;  then  his  heart  counselled 
him  not  thereto,  inasmuch  as  Lionel  was  born  or  he, 
wherefore  he  ought  to  bear  him  reverence  ;  yet  kneeled 
he  down  afore  Lionel's  horse's  feet,  and  said  :  Fair  sweet 
brother,  have  mercy  upon  me  and  slay  me  not,  and  have 
in  remembrance  the  great  love  which  ought  to  be  between 
us  twain.  What  Sir  Bors  said  to  Lionel  he  rought  not, 
for  the  fiend  had  brought  him  in  such  a  will  that  he  should 
slay  him.  Then  when  Lionel  saw  he  would  none  other, 
and  that  he  would  not  have  risen  to  give  him  battle,  he 
rashed  over  him  so  that  he  smote  Bors  with  his  horse, 
feet  upward,  to  the  earth,  and  hurt  him  so  sore  that  he 
swooned  of  distress,  the  which  he  felt  in  himself  to  have 
died  without  confession.  So  when  Lionel  saw  this,  he 
alighted  off  his  horse  to  have  smitten  off  his  head.  And 
so  he  took  him  by  the  helm,  and  would  have  rent  it  from 
his  head.  Then  came  the  hermit  running  unto  him, 
which  was  a  good  man  and  of  great  age,  and  well  had 
heard  all  the  words  that  were  between  them,  and  so  fell 
down  upon  Sir  Bors. 


CHAP,  xv      LIONEL  AND  COLGREVANCE  307 


CHAPTER   XV 

How  Sir  Colgrevance  fought  against  Sir  Lionel  for  to  save 
Sir  Bors,  and  how  the  hermit  was  slain. 

THEN  he  said  to  Lionel :  Ah  gentle  knight,  have  mercy 
upon  me  and  on  thy  brother,  for  if  thou  slay  him  thou 
shalt  be  dead  of  sin,  and  that  were  sorrowful,  for  he  is 
one  of  the  worthiest  knights  of  the  world,  and  of  the  best 
conditions.  So  God  help  me,  said  Lionel,  sir  priest,  but 
if  ye  flee  from  him  I  shall  slay  you,  and  he  shall  never  the 
sooner  be  quit.  Certes,  said  the  good  man,  I  have  liefer 
ye  slay  me  than  him,  for  my  death  shall  not  be  great 
harm,  not  half  so  much  as  of  his.  Well,  said  Lionel,  I 
am  greed  ;  and  set  his  hand  to  his  sword  and  smote  him 
so  hard  that  his  head  yede  backward.  Not  for  that  he 
restrained  him  of  his  evil  will,  but  took  his  brother  by  the 
helm,  and  unlaced  it  to  have  stricken  off  his  head,  and 
had  slain  him  without  fail.  But  so  it  happed,  Colgrevance, 
a  fellow  of  the  Round  Table,  came  at  that  time  thither  as 
Our  Lord's  will  was.  And  when  he  saw  the  good  man 
slain  he  marvelled  much  what  it  might  be.  And  then  he 
beheld  Lionel  would  have  slain  his  brother,  and  knew  Sir 
Bors  which  he  loved  right  well.  Then  stert  he  down  and 
took  Lionel  by  the  shoulders,  and  drew  him  strongly 
aback  from  Bors,  and  said  :  Lionel,  will  ye  slay  your 
brother,  the  worthiest  knight  of  the  world  one  ?  and  that 
should  no  good  man  suffer.  Why,  said  Lionel,  will  ye 
let  me  ?  therefore  if  ye  entermete  you  in  this  I  shall  slay 
you,  and  him  after.  Why,  said  Colgrevance,  is  this 
sooth  that  ye  will  slay  him?  Slay  him  will  I,  said 
he,  whoso  say  the  contrary,  for  he  hath  done  so  much 
against  me  that  he  hath  well  deserved  it.  And  so  ran 
upon  him,  and  would  have  smitten  him  through  the 
head,  and  Sir  Colgrevance  ran  betwixt  them,  and  said  : 
An  ye  be  so  hardy  to  do  so  more,  we  two  shall  meddle 
together. 


308  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 

When  Lionel  understood  his  words  he  took  his  shield 
afore  him,  and  asked  him  what  that  he  was.  And  he  told 
him,  Colgrevance,  one  of  his  fellows.  Then  Lionel  defied 
him,  and  gave  him  a  great  stroke  through  the  helm. 
Then  he  drew  his  sword,  for  he  was  a  passing  good 
knight,  and  defended  him  right  manfully.  So  long  dured 
the  battle  that  Bors  rose  up  all  anguishly,  and, beheld  [how] 
Colgrevance,  the  good  knight,  fought  with  his  brother 
for  his  quarrel ;  then  was  he  full  sorry  and  heavy,  and 
thought  if  Colgrevance  slew  him  that  was  his  brother  he 
should  never  have  joy  ;  and  if  his  brother  slew  Colgre- 
vance the  shame  should  ever  be  mine.  Then  would  he 
have  risen  to  have  departed  them,  but  he  had  not  so 
much  might  to  stand  on  foot ;  so  he  abode  him  so  long 
till  Colgrevance  had  the  worse,  for  Lionel  was  of  great 
chivalry  and  right  hardy,  for  he  had  pierced  the  hauberk 
and  the  helm,  that  he  abode  but  death,  for  he  had  lost 
much  of  his  blood  that  it  was  marvel  that  he  might  stand 
upright.  Then  beheld  he  Sir  Bors  which  sat  dressing  him 
upward  and  said  :  Ah,  Bors,  why  come  ye  not  to  cast  me 
out  of  peril  of  death,  wherein  I  have  put  me  to  succour 
you  which  were  right  now  nigh  the  death  ?  Certes,  said 
Lionel,  that  shall  not  avail  you,  for  none  of  you  shall  bear 
others  warrant,  but  that  ye  shall  die  both  of  my  hand. 
When  Bors  heard  that,  he  did  so  much,  he  rose  and  put 
on  his  helm.  Then  perceived  he  first  the  hermit-priest 
which  was  slain,  then  made  he  a  marvellous  sorrow  upon 
him. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

How  Sir  Lionel  slew  Sir  Colgrevance,  and  how  after  he 
would  have  slain  Sir  Bors. 

THEN  oft  Colgrevance  cried  upon  Sir  Bors  :    Why  will 
ye  let  me  die  here  for  your  sake  ?  if  it  please  you  that  I 


CHAP,  xvn      OF  A  VOICE  AND  SIR  BORS  309 

die  for  you  the  death,  it  will  please  me  the  better  for  to 
save  a  worthy  man.  With  that  word  Sir  Lionel  smote  off 
the  helm  from  his  head.  Then  Colgrevance  saw  that  he 
might  not  escape  ;  then  he  said  :  Fair  sweet  Jesu,  that  I 
have  misdone  have  mercy  upon  my  soul,  for  such  sorrow 
that  my  heart  suffereth  for  goodness,  and  for  alms  deed 
that  I  would  have  done  here,  be  to  me  aligement  of 
penance  unto  my  soul's  health.  At  these  words  Lionel 
smote  him  so  sore  that  he  bare  him  to  the  earth.  So  he 
had  slain  Colgrevance  he  ran  upon  his  brother  as  a  fiendly 
man,  and  gave  him  such  a  stroke  that  he  made  him  stoop. 
And  he  that  was  full  of  humility  prayed  him  for  God's 
love  to  leave  this  battle  :  For  an  it  befell,  fair  brother, 
that  I  slew  you  or  ye  me,  we  should  be  dead  of  that  sin. 
Never  God  me  help  but  if  I  have  on  you  mercy,  an  I  may 
have  the  better  hand.  Then  drew  Bors  his  sword,  all 
weeping,  and  said :  Fair  brother,  God  knoweth  mine 
intent.  Ah,  fair  brother,  ye  have  done  full  evil  this  day 
to  slay  such  an  holy  priest  the  which  never  trespassed. 
Also  ye  have  slain  a  gentle  knight,  and  one  of  our  fellows. 
And  well  wot  ye  that  I  am  not  afeard  of  you  greatly,  but 
I  dread  the  wrath  of  God,  and  this  is  an  unkindly  war, 
therefore  God  show  miracle  upon  us  both.  Now  God 
have  mercy  upon  me  though  I  defend  my  life  against  my 
brother  :  with  that  Bors  lift  up  his  hand  and  would  have 
smitten  his  brother. 


CHAPTER   XVII 

How  there  came  a  'voice  which  charged  Sir  Bors  to  touch 
him  not,  and  of  a  cloud  that  came  between  them. 

AND  then  he  heard  a  voice  that  said  :  Flee  Bors,  and 
touch  him  not,  or  else  thou  shalt  slay  him.  Right  so 
alighted  a  cloud  betwixt  them  in  likeness  of  a  fire  and 
a  marvellous  flame,  that  both  their  two  shields  brent. 


310  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvi 

Then  were  they  sore  afraid,  that  they  fell  both  to  the 
earth,  and  lay  there  a  great  while  in  a  swoon.  And  when 
they  came  to  themself,  Bors  saw  that  his  brother  had  no 
harm  ;  then  he  held  up  both  his  hands,  for  he  dread  God 
had  taken  vengeance  upon  him.  With  that  he  heard  a 
voice  say  :  Bors,  go  hence,  and  bear  thy  brother  no  longer 
fellowship,  but  take  thy  way  anon  right  to  the  sea,  for  Sir 
Percivale  abideth  thee  there.  Then  he  said  to  his  brother  : 
Fair  sweet  brother,  forgive  me  for  God's  love  all  that  I 
have  trespassed  unto  you.  Then  he  answered  :  God  for- 
give it  thee  and  I  do  gladly. 

So  Sir  Bors  departed  from  him  and  rode  the  next  way 
to  the  sea.  And  at  the  last  by  fortune  he  came  to  an 
abbey  which  was  nigh  the  sea.  That  night  Bors  rested 
him  there ;  and  in  his  sleep  there  came  a  voice  to  him 
and  bade  him  go  to  the  sea.  Then  he  stert  up  and  made 
a  sign  of  the  cross  in  the  midst  of  his  forehead,  and 
took  his  harness,  and  made  ready  his  horse,  and  mounted 
upon  him  ;  and  at  a  broken  wall  he  rode  out,  and  rode  so 
long  till  that  he  came  to  the  sea.  And  on  the  strand  he 
found  a  ship  covered  all  with  white  samite,  and  he  alighted, 
and  betook  him  to  Jesu  Christ.  And  as  soon  as  he  entered 
into  the  ship,  the  ship  departed  into  the  sea,  and  went  so 
fast  that  him  seemed  the  ship  went  flying,  but  it  was  soon 
dark  so  that  he  might  know  no  man,  and  so  he  slept  till 
it  was  day.  Then  he  awaked,  and  saw  in  midst  of  the 
ship  a  knight  lie  all  armed  save  his  helm.  Then  knew  he 
that  it  was  Sir  Percivale  of  Wales,  and  then  he  made  of 
him  right  great  joy  ;  but  Sir  Percivale  was  abashed  of  him, 
and  he  asked  him  what  he  was.  Ah,  fair  sir,  said  Bors, 
know  ye  me  not  ?  Certes,  said  he,  I  marvel  how  ye  came 
hither,  but  if  Our  Lord  brought  ye  hither  Himself.  Then 
Sir  Bors  smiled  and  did  off  his  helm.  Then  Percivale 
knew  him,  and  either  made  great  joy  of  other,  that  it  was 
marvel  to  hear.  Then  Bors  told  him  how  he  came  into 
the  ship,  and  by  whose  admonishment ;  and  either  told 
other  of  their  temptations,  as  ye  have  heard  to-forehand. 
So  went  they  downward  in  the  sea,  one  while  backward, 
another  while  forward,  and  everych  comforted  other,  and 


CHAP,  xvii     SIR  PERC1  VALE  AND  SIR  BORS  311 

oft  were  in  their  prayers.     Then  said  Sir  Percivale  :  We 
lack  nothing  but  Galahad,  the  good  knight. 


tfjus  entretfj  tjje  sixteenth  toft,  fofjtcji  is  of  Sir 
ffiafoame,  (Sector  tie  JHaris,  antr  Sir  i3ors  tre  ffianis, 
antr  Sir  ^erci&ale.  ^ntr  fjere  follofoetfj  tjje  seben^ 
teentfj  fiook,  fojjicj  is  of  tjje  noile  ftniflfjt  Sir 


BOOK    XVII 


CHAPTER   I 

How  Sir  Galahad  fought  at  a  tournament,  and  how  he  was 
known  of  Sir  Gawaine  and  Sir  Ector  de  Marts. 

Now  saith  this  story,  when  Galahad  had  rescued  Percivale 
from  the  twenty  knights,  he  yede  tho  into  a  waste  forest 
wherein  he  rode  many  journeys  ;  and  he  found  many 
adventures  the  which  he  brought  to  an  end,  whereof  the 
story  maketh  here  no  mention.  Then  he  took  his  way 
to  the  sea  on  a  day,  and  it  befell  as  he  passed  by  a  castle 
where  was  a  wonder  tournament,  but  they  without  had 
done  so  much  that  they  within  were  put  to  the  worse,  yet 
were  they  within  good  knights  enough.  When  Galahad 
saw  that  those  within  were  at  so  great  a  mischief  that  men 
slew  them  at  the  entry  of  the  castle,  then  he  thought  to 
help  them,  and  put  a  spear  forth  and  smote  the  first  that 
he  fell  to  the  earth,  and  the  spear  brake  to  pieces.  Then 
he  drew  his  sword  and  smote  thereas  they  were  thickest, 
and  so  he  did  wonderful  deeds  of  arms  that  all  they 
marvelled.  Then  it  happed  that  Gawaine  and  Sir  Ector 
de  Maris  were  with  the  knights  without.  But  when  they 
espied  the  white  shield  with  the  red  cross  the  one  said  to 
the  other  :  Yonder  is  the  good  knight,  Sir  Galahad,  the 
haut  prince  :  now  he  should  be  a  great  fool  which  should 
meet  with  him  to  fight.  So  by  adventure  he  came  by  Sir 
Gawaine,  and  he  smote  him  so  hard  that  he  clave  his  helm 
and  the  coif  of  iron  unto  his  head,  so  that  Gawaine  fell 
to  the  earth  ;  but  the  stroke  was  so  great  that  it  slanted 
down  to  the  earth  and  carved  the  horse's  shoulder  in  two. 


CHAP,  i  OF  SIR  GALAHAD  313 

When  Ector  saw  Gawaine  down  he  drew  him  aside, 
and  thought  it  no  wisdom  for  to  abide  him,  and  also  for 
natural  love,  that  he  was  his  uncle.  Thus  through  his 
great  hardiness  he  beat  aback  all  the  knights  without. 
And  then  they  within  came  out  and  chased  them  all 
about.  But  when  Galahad  saw  there  would  none  turn 
again  he  stole  away  privily,  so  that  none  wist  where  he  was 
become.  Now  by  my  head,  said  Gawaine  to  Ector,  now 
are  the  wonders  true  that  were  said  of  Launcelot  du  Lake, 
that  the  sword  which  stuck  in  the  stone  should  give  me 
such  a  buffet  that  I  would  not  have  it  for  the  best  castle 
in  this  world ;  and  soothly  now  it  is  proved  true,  for 
never  ere  had  I  such  a  stroke  of  man's  hand.  Sir,  said 
Ector,  meseemeth  your  quest  is  done.  And  yours  is  not 
done,  said  Gawaine,  but  mine  is  done,  I  shall  seek  no 
further.  Then  Gawaine  was  borne  into  a  castle  and  un- 
armed him,  and  laid  him  in  a  rich  bed,  and  a  leech  found 
that  he  might  live,  and  to  be  whole  within  a  month. 
Thus  Gawaine  and  Ector  abode  together,  for  Sir  Ector 
would  not  away  till  Gawaine  were  whole. 

And  the  good  knight,  Galahad,  rode  so  long  till  he 
came  that  night  to  the  Castle  of  Carboneck  ;  and  it  befell 
him  thus  that  he  was  benighted  in  an  hermitage.  So  the 
good  man  was  fain  when  he  saw  he  was  a  knight-errant. 
Tho  when  they  were  at  rest  there  came  a  gentlewoman 
knocking  at  the  door,  and  called  Galahad,  and  so  the  good 
man  came  to  the  door  to  wit  what  she  would.  Then  she 
called  the  hermit :  Sir  Ulfin,  I  am  a  gentlewoman  that 
would  speak  with  the  knight  which  is  with  you.  Then 
the  good  man  awaked  Galahad,  and  bade  him  :  Arise,  and 
speak  with  a  gentlewoman  that  seemeth  hath  great  need 
of  you.  Then  Galahad  went  to  her  and  asked  her  what 
she  would.  Galahad,  said  she,  I  will  that  ye  arm  you, 
and  mount  upon  your  horse  and  follow  me,  for  I  shall 
show  you  within  these  three  days  the  highest  adventure 
that  ever  any  knight  saw.  Anon  Galahad  armed  him,  and 
took  his  horse,  and  commended  him  to  God,  and  bade  the 
gentlewoman  go,  and  he  would  follow  thereas  she  liked. 


3H  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 


CHAPTER    II 

How  Sir  Galahad  rode  with  a  damosel,  and  came  to  the  ship 
whereas  Sir  Bars  and  Sir  Percivale  were  in. 

So  she  rode  as  fast  as  her  palfrey  might  bear  her,  till  that 
she  came  to  the  sea,  the  which  was  called  Collibe.  And 
at  the  night  they  came  unto  a  castle  in  a  valley,  closed 
with  a  running  water,  and  with  strong  walls  and  high  ; 
and  so  she  entered  into  the  castle  with  Galahad,  and  there 
had  he  great  cheer,  for  the  lady  of  that  castle  was  the 
damosel's  lady.  So  when  he  was  unarmed,  then  said  the 
damosel :  Madam,  shall  we  abide  here  all  this  day  ?  Nay, 
said  she,  but  till  he  hath  dined  and  till  he  hath  slept  a 
little.  So  he  ate  and  slept  a  while  till  that  the  maid  called 
him,  and  armed  him  by  torchlight.  And  when  the  maid 
was  horsed  and  he  both,  the  lady  took  Galahad  a  fair  child 
and  rich  ;  and  so  they  departed  from  the  castle  till  they 
came  to  the  seaside  ;  and  there  they  found  the  ship  where 
Bors  and  Percivale  were  in,  the  which  cried  on  the  ship's 
board  :  Sir  Galahad,  ye  be  welcome,  we  have  abiden  you 
long.  And  when  he  heard  them  he  asked  them  what  they 
were.  Sir,  said  she,  leave  your  horse  here,  and  I  shall 
leave  mine  ;  and  took  their  saddles  and  their  bridles  with 
them,  and  made  a  cross  on  them,  and  so  entered  into  the 
ship.  And  the  two  knights  received  them  both  with  great 
joy,  and  everych  knew  other  ;  and  so  the  wind  arose,  and 
drove  them  through  the  sea  in  a  marvellous  pace.  And 
within  a  while  it  dawned. 

Then  did  Galahad  off  his  helm  and  his  sword,  and 
asked  of  his  fellows  from  whence  came  that  fair  ship. 
Truly,  said  they,  ye  wot  as  well  as  we,  but  of  God's  grace ; 
and  then  they  told  everych  to  other  of  all  their  hard 
adventures,  and  of  their  great  temptations.  Truly,  said 
Galahad,  ye  are  much  bounden  to  God,  for  ye  have  escaped 
great  adventures;  and  had  not  the  gentlewoman  been  I 
had  not  come  here,  for  as  for  you  I  weened  never  to  have 


CH.III    HOW  GALAHAD  ENTERED  THE  SHIP     315 

found  you  in  these  strange  countries.  Ah  Galahad,  said 
Bors,  if  Launcelot,  your  father,  were  here  then  were  we 
well  at  ease,  for  then  meseemed  we  failed  nothing.  That 
may  not  be,  said  Galahad,  but  if  it  pleased  Our  Lord. 

By  then  the  ship  went  from  the  land  of  Logris,  and 
by  adventure  it  arrived  up  betwixt  two  rocks  passing  great 
and  marvellous  ;  but  there  they  might  not  land,  for  there 
was  a  swallow  of  the  sea,  save  there  was  another  ship,  and 
upon  it  they  might  go  without  danger.  Go  we  thither, 
said  the  gentlewoman,  and  there  shall  we  see  adventures, 
for  so  is  Our  Lord's  will.  And  when  they  came  thither 
they  found  the  ship  rich  enough,  but  they  found  neither 
man  nor  woman  therein.  But  they  found  in  the  end  of 
the  ship  two  fair  letters  written,  which  said  a  dreadful 
word  and  a  marvellous  :  Thou  man,  which  shall  enter 
into  this  ship,  beware  thou  be  in  steadfast  belief,  for  I  am 
Faith,  and  therefore  beware  how  thou  enterest,  for  an 
thou  fail  I  shall  not  help  thee.  Then  said  the  gentle- 
woman :  Percivale,  wot  ye  what  I  am  ?  Certes,  said  he, 
nay,  to  my  witting.  Wit  ye  well,  said  she,  that  I  am  thy 
sister,  which  am  daughter  of  King  Pellinore,  and  therefore 
wit  ye  well  ye  are  the  man  in  the  world  that  I  most  love  ; 
and  if  ye  be  not  in  perfect  belief  of  Jesu  Christ  enter  not 
in  no  manner  of  wise,  for  then  should  ye  perish  the  ship, 
for  he  is  so  perfect  he  will  suffer  no  sinner  in  him.  When 
Percivale  understood  that  she  was  his  very  sister  he  was 
inwardly  glad,  and  said  :  Fair  sister,  I  shall  enter  therein, 
for  if  I  be  a  miscreature  or  an  untrue  knight  there  shall  I 
perish. 


CHAPTER   III 

How  Sir  Galahad  entered  into  the  ship,  and  of  a  fair  bed 
therein,  with  other  marvellous  things,  and  of  a  sword. 

IN  the  meanwhile  Galahad  blessed  him,  and  entered  therein ; 
and  then  next  the  gentlewoman,  and  then  Sir  Bors  and  Sir 
Percivale.  And  when  they  were  in,  it  was  so  marvellous 


316  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

fair  and  rich  that  they  marvelled  ;  and  in  midst  of  the 
ship  was  a  fair  bed,  and  Galahad  went  thereto,  and  found 
there  a  crown  of  silk.  And  at  the  feet  was  a  sword,  rich 
and  fair,  and  it  was  drawn  out  of  the  sheath  half  a  foot 
and  more  ;  and  the  sword  was  of  divers  fashions,  and  the 
pommel  was  of  stone,  and  there  was  in  him  all  manner  of 
colours  that  any  man  might  find,  and  everych  of  the 
colours  had  divers  virtues ;  and  the  scales  of  the  haft 
were  of  two  ribs  of  divers  beasts,  the  one  beast  was  a 
serpent  which  was  conversant  in  Calidone,  and  is  called 
the  Serpent  of  the  fiend  ;  and  the  bone  of  him  is  of  such 
a  virtue  that  there  is  no  hand  that  handleth  him  shall 
never  be  weary  nor  hurt.  And  the  other  beast  is  a 
fish  which  is  not  right  great,  and  haunteth  the  flood  of 
Euphrates;  and  that  fish  is  called  Ertanax,  and  his  bones 
be  of  such  a  manner  of  kind  that  who  that  handleth  them 
shall  have  so  much  will  that  he  shall  never  be  weary,  and 
he  shall  not  think  on  joy  nor  sorrow  that  he  hath  had, 
but  only  that  thing  that  he  beholdeth  before  him.  And 
as  for  this  sword  there  shall  never  man  begrip  him  at  the 
handles  but  one  ;  but  he  shall  pass  all  other.  In  the  name 
of  God,  said  Percivale,  I  shall  assay  to  handle  it.  So  he 
set  his  hand  to  the  sword,  but  he  might  not  begrip  it. 
By  my  faith,  said  he,  now  have  I  failed.  Bors  set  his 
hand  thereto  and  failed. 

Then  Galahad  beheld  the  sword  and  saw  letters  like 
blood  that  said  :  Let  see  who  shall  assay  to  draw  me  out 
of  my  sheath,  but  if  he  be  more  hardier  than  any  other  ; 
and  who  that  draweth  me,  wit  ye  well  that  he  shall  never 
fail  of  shame  of  his  body,  or  to  be  wounded  to  the  death. 
By  my  faith,  said  Galahad,  I  would  draw  this  sword  out 
of  the  sheath,  but  the  offending  is  so  great  that  I  shall  not 
set  my  hand  thereto.  Now  sirs,  said  the  gentlewoman, 
wit  ye  well  that  the  drawing  of  this  sword  is  warned  to 
all  men  save  all  only  to  you.  Also  this  ship  arrived  in 
the  realm  of  Logris  ;  and  that  time  was  deadly  war  between 
King  Labor,  which  was  father  unto  the  maimed  king,  and 
King  Hurlame,  which  was  a  Saracen.  But  then  was  he 
newly  christened,  so  that  men  held  him  afterward  one  of 


CH.IV     OF  THE  MARVELS  OF  THE  SWORD         317 

the  wittiest  men  of  the  world.  And  so  upon  a  day  it 
befell  that  King  Labor  and  King  Hurlame  had  assembled 
their  folk  upon  the  sea  where  this  ship  was  arrived  ;  and 
there  King  Hurlame  was  discomfit,  and  his  men  slain  ; 
and  he  was  afeard  to  be  dead,  and  fled  to  his  ship,  and 
there  found  this  sword  and  drew  it,  and  came  out  and 
found  King  Labor,  the  man  in  the  world  of  all  Christen- 
dom in  whom  was  then  the  greatest  faith.  And  when 
King  Hurlame  saw  King  Labor  he  dressed  this  sword, 
and  smote  him  upon  the  helm  so  hard  that  he  clave  him 
and  his  horse  to  the  earth  with  the  first  stroke  of  his 
sword.  And  it  was  in  the  realm  of  Logris  ;  and  so  befell 
great  pestilence  and  great  harm  to  both  realms.  For 
sithen  increased  neither  corn,  nor  grass,  nor  well-nigh  no 
fruit,  nor  in  the  water  was  no  fish ;  wherefore  men  call 
it  the  lands  of  the  two  marches,  the  waste  land,  for  that 
dolorous  stroke.  And  when  King  Hurlame  saw  this 
sword  so  carving,  he  turned  again  to  fetch  the  scabbard, 
and  so  came  into  this  ship  and  entered,  and  put  up  the 
sword  in  the  sheath.  And  as  soon  as  he  had  done  it 
he  fell  down  dead  afore  the  bed.  Thus  was  the  sword 
proved,  that  none  ne  drew  it  but  he  were  dead  or  maimed. 
So  lay  he  there  till  a  maiden  came  into  the  ship  and  cast 
him  out,  for  there  was  no  man  so  hardy  of  the  world  to 
enter  into  that  ship  for  the  defence. 


CHAPTER   IV 

Of  the  marvels  of  the  sword  and  of  the  scabbard. 

AND  then  beheld  they  the  scabbard,  it  seemed  to  be  of  a 
serpent's  skin,  and  thereon  were  letters  of  gold  and  silver. 
And  the  girdle  was  but  poorly  to  come  to,  and  not  able 
to  sustain  such  a  rich  sword.  And  the  letters  said  :  He 
which  shall  wield  me  ought  to  be  more  harder  than  any 
other,  if  he  bear  me  as  truly  as  me  ought  to  be  borne. 
For  the  body  of  him  which  I  ought  to  hang  by,  he  shall 


318  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvii 

not  be  shamed  in  no  place  while  he  is  girt  with  this  girdle, 
nor  never  none  be  so  hardy  to  do  away  this  girdle  ;  for 
it  ought  not  be  done  away  but  by  the  hands  of  a  maid, 
and  that  she  be  a  king's  daughter  and  queen's,  and  she 
must  be  a  maid  all  the  days  of  her  life,  both  in  will  and  in 
deed.  And  if  she  break  her  virginity  she  shall  die  the 
most  villainous  death  that  ever  died  any  woman.  Sir,  said 
Percivale,  turn  this  sword  that  we  may  see  what  is  on  the 
other  side.  And  it  was  red  as  blood,  with  black  letters  as 
any  coal,  which  said  :  He  that  shall  praise  me  most,  most 
shall  he  find  me  to  blame  at  a  great  need ;  and  to  whom  I 
should  be  most  debonair  shall  1  be  most  felon,  and  that 
shall  be  at  one  time. 

Fair  brother,  said  she  to  Percivale,  it  befell  after  a 
forty  year  after  the  passion  of  Jesu  Christ  that  Nacien,  the 
brother-in-law  of  King  Mordrains,  was  borne  into  a  town 
more  than  fourteen  days'  journey  from  his  country,  by  the 
commandment  of  Our  Lord,  into  an  isle,  into  the  parts  of 
the  West,  that  men  cleped  the  Isle  of  Turnance.  So  befell 
it  that  he  found  this  ship  at  the  entry  of  a  rock,  and  he 
found  the  bed  and  this  sword  as  we  have  heard  now.  Not 
for  then  he  had  not  so  much  hardiness  to  draw  it ;  and 
there  he  dwelled  an  eight  days,  and  at  the  ninth  day  there 
fell  a  great  wind  which  departed  him  out  of  the  isle,  and 
brought  him  to  another  isle  by  a  rock,  and  there  he  found 
the  greatest  giant  that  ever  man  might  see.  Therewith 
came  that  horrible  giant  to  slay  him  ;  and  then  he  looked 
about  him  and  might  not  flee,  and  he  had  nothing  to 
defend  him  with.  So  he  ran  to  his  sword,  and  when  he 
saw  it  naked  he  praised  it  much,  and  then  he  shook  it, 
and  therewith  he  brake  it  in  the  midst.  Ah,  said  Nacien, 
the  thing  that  I  most  praised  ought  I  now  most  to  blame, 
and  therewith  he  threw  the  pieces  of  his  sword  over  his 
bed.  And  after  he  leapt  over  the  board  to  fight  with  the 
giant,  and  slew  him. 

And  anon  he  entered  into  the  ship  again,  and  the  wind 
arose,  and  drove  him  through  the  sea,  that  by  adventure 
he  came  to  another  ship  where  King  Mordrains  was,  which 
had  been  tempted  full  evil  with  a  fiend  in  the  Port  of 


CHAP,  v      OF  THE  MARVELS  OF  THE  SHIP  319 

Perilous  Rock.  And  when  that  one  saw  the  other  they 
made  great  joy  of  other,  and  either  told  other  of  their 
adventure,  and  how  the  sword  failed  him  at  his  most  need. 
When  Mordrains  saw  the  sword  he  praised  it  much  :  But 
the  breaking  was  not  to  do  but  by  wickedness  of  thy  self- 
ward,  for  thou  art  in  some  sin.  And  there  he  took  the 
sword,  and  set  the  pieces  together,  and  they  soldered  as 
fair  as  ever  they  were  to-fore  ;  and  there  put  he  the  sword 
in  the  sheath,  and  laid  it  down  on  the  bed.  Then  heard 
they  a  voice  that  said  :  Go  out  of  this  ship  a  little  while, 
and  enter  into  the  other,  for  dread  ye  fall  in  deadly  sin, 
for  and  ye  be  found  in  deadly  sin  ye  may  not  escape  but 
perish  :  and  so  they  went  into  the  other  ship.  And  as 
Nacien  went  over  the  board  he  was  smitten  with  a  sword 
on  the  right  foot,  that  he  fell  down  noseling  to  the  ship's 
board  ;  and  therewith  he  said  :  O  God,  how  am  I  hurt. 
And  then  there  came  a  voice  and  said  :  Take  thou  that 
for  thy  forfeit  that  thou  didst  in  drawing  of  this  sword, 
therefore  thou  receivest  a  wound,  for  thou  were  never 
worthy  to  handle  it,  as  the  writing  maketh  mention.  In 
the  name  of  God,  said  Galahad,  ye  are  right  wise  of  these 
works. 


CHAPTER  V 

How  King  Pelles  was  smitten  through  both  thighs  because  he 
drew  the  sword,  and  other  marvellous  histories. 

SIR,  said  she,  there  was  a  king  that  hight  Pelles,  the 
maimed  king.  And  while  he  might  ride  he  supported 
much  Christendom  and  Holy  Church.  So  upon  a  day  he 
hunted  in  a  wood  of  his  which  lasted  unto  the  sea  ;  and  at 
the  last  he  lost  his  hounds  and  his  knights  save  only  one  : 
and  there  he  and  his  knight  went  till  that  they  came  toward 
Ireland,  and  there  he  found  the  ship.  And  when  he  saw 
the  letters  and  understood  them,  yet  he  entered,  for  he 
was  right  perfect  of  his  life,  but  his  knight  had  none 
hardiness  to  enter ;  and  there  found  he  this  sword,  and 


320  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

drew  it  out  as  much  as  ye  may  see.  So  therewith  entered 
a  spear  wherewith  he  was  smitten  him  through  both  the 
thighs,  and  never  sith  might  he  be  healed,  nor  nought 
shall  to -fore  we  come  to  him.  Thus,  said  she,  was  not 
King  Pelles,  your  grandsire,  maimed  for  his  hardiness  ? 
In  the  name  of  God,  damosel,  said  Galahad. 

So  they  went  toward  the  bed  to  behold  all  about  it,  and 
above  the  head  there  hung  two  swords.  Also  there  were 
two  spindles  which  were  as  white  as  any  snow,  and  other 
that  were  as  red  as  blood,  and  other  above  green  as  any 
emerald  :  of  these  three  colours  were  the  spindles,  and  of 
natural  colour  within,  and  without  any  painting.  These 
spindles,  said  the  damosel,  were  when  sinful  Eve  came  to 
gather  fruit,  for  which  Adam  and  she  were  put  out  of 
paradise,  she  took  with  her  the  bough  on  which  the  apple 
hung  on.  Then  perceived  she  that  the  branch  was  fair 
and  green,  and  she  remembered  her  the  loss  which  came 
from  the  tree.  Then  she  thought  to  keep  the  branch  as 
long  as  she  might.  And  for  she  had  no  coffer  to  keep  it 
in,  she  put  it  in  the  earth.  So  by  the  will  of  Our  Lord 
the  branch  grew  to  a  great  tree  within  a  little  while,  and 
was  as  white  as  any  snow,  branches,  boughs,  and  leaves  : 
that  was  a  token  a  maiden  planted  it.  But  after  God 
came  to  Adam,  and  bade  him  know  his  wife  fleshly  as 
nature  required.  So  lay  Adam  with  his  wife  under  the 
same  tree  ;  and  anon  the  tree  which  was  white  was  full 
green  as  any  grass,  and  all  that  came  out  of  it ;  and  in 
the  same  time  that  they  medled  together  there  was  Abel 
begotten  :  thus  was  the  tree  long  of  green  colour.  And 
so  it  befell  many  days  after,  under  the  same  tree  Caym 
slew  Abel,  whereof  befell  great  marvel.  For  anon  as 
Abel  had  received  the  death  under  the  green  tree,  it  lost 
the  green  colour  and  became  red  ;  and  that  was  in  token- 
ing of  the  blood.  And  anon  all  the  plants  died  thereof, 
but  the  tree  grew  and  waxed  marvellously  fair,  and  it  was 
the  fairest  tree  and  the  most  delectable  that  any  man  might 
behold  and  see  ;  and  so  died  the  plants  that  grew  out  of 
it  to-fore  that  Abel  was  slain  under  it.  So  long  dured 
the  tree  till  that  Solomon,  King  David's  son,  reigned,  and 


CH.VI     OF  SOLOMON  AND  DAVID'S  SWORD       321 

held  the  land  after  his  father.  This  Solomon  was  wise, 
and  knew  all  the  virtues  of  stones  and  trees,  and  so  he 
knew  the  course  of  the  stars,  and  many  other  divers  things. 
This  Solomon  had  an  evil  wife,  wherethrough  he  weened 
that  there  had  been  no  good  woman,  and  so  he  despised 
them  in  his  books.  So  answered  a  voice  him  once  : 
Solomon,  if  heaviness  come  to  a  man  by  a  woman,  ne 
reck  thou  never ;  for  yet  shall  there  come  a  woman 
whereof  there  shall  come  greater  joy  to  man  an  hundred 
times  more  than  this  heaviness  giveth  sorrow;  and  that 
woman  shall  be  born  of  thy  lineage.  Tho  when  Solomon 
heard  these  words  he  held  himself  but  a  fool,  and  the 
truth  he  perceived  by  old  books.  Also  the  Holy  Ghost 
showed  him  the  coming  of  the  glorious  Virgin  Mary. 
Then  asked  he  of  the  voice,  if  it  should  be  in  the  yerde 
of  his  lineage.  Nay,  said  the  voice,  but  there  shall  come 
a  man  which  shall  be  a  maid,  and  the  last  of  your  blood, 
and  he  shall  be  as  good  a  knight  as  Duke  Josua,  thy 
brother-in-law. 


CHAPTER  VI 

How  Solomon  took  David's  sword  by  the  counsel  of  his 
wife,  and  of  other  matters  marvellous. 

Now  have  I  certified  thee  of  that  thou  stoodest  in  doubt. 
Then  was  Solomon  glad  that  there  should  come  any  such 
of  his  lineage ;  but  ever  he  marvelled  and  studied  who 
that  should  be,  and  what  his  name  might  be.  His  wife 
perceived  that  he  studied,  and  thought  she  would  know  it 
at  some  season  ;  and  so  she  waited  her  time,  and  asked  of 
him  the  cause  of  his  studying,  and  there  he  told  her  alto- 
gether how  the  voice  told  him.  Well,  said  she,  I  shall  let 
make  a  ship  of  the  best  wood  and  most  durable  that  men 
may  find.  So  Solomon  sent  for  all  the  carpenters  of  the 
land,  and  the  best.  And  when  they  had  made  the  ship 
the  lady  said  to  Solomon  :  Sir,  said  she,  since  it  is  so  that 
this  knight  ought  to  pass  all  knights  of  chivalry  which 

VOL.   II  Y 


322  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

have  been  to-fore  him  and  shall  come  after  him,  moreover 
I  shall  tell  you,  said  she,  ye  shall  go  into  Our  Lord's 
temple,  where  is  King  David's  sword,  your  father,  the 
which  is  the  marvelloust  and  the  sharpest  that  ever  was 
taken  in  any  knight's  hand.  Therefore  take  that,  and 
take  off  the  pommel,  and  thereto  make  ye  a  pommel  of 
precious  stones,  that  it  be  so  subtly  made  that  no  man 
perceive  it  but  that  they  be  all  one  ;  and  after  make  there 
an  hilt  so  marvellously  and  wonderly  that  no  man  may 
know  it ;  and  after  make  a  marvellous  sheath.  And  when 
ye  have  made  all  this  I  shall  let  make  a  girdle  thereto,  such 
as  shall  please  me. 

All  this  King  Solomon  did  let  make  as  she  devised, 
both  the  ship  and  all  the  remnant.  And  when  the  ship 
was  ready  in  the  sea  to  sail,  the  lady  let  make  a  great  bed 
and  marvellous  rich,  and  set  her  upon  the  bed's  head, 
covered  with  silk,  and  laid  the  sword  at  the  feet,  and  the 
girdles  were  of  hemp,  and  therewith  the  king  was  angry. 
Sir,  wit  ye  well,  said  she,  that  I  have  none  so  high  a  thing 
which  were  worthy  to  sustain  so  high  a  sword,  and  a  maid 
shall  bring  other  knights  thereto,  but  I  wot  not  when  it 
shall  be,  nor  what  time.  And  there  she  let  make  a  cover- 
ing to  the  ship,  of  cloth  of  silk  that  should  never  rot  for 
no  manner  of  weather.  Yet  went  that  lady  and  made  a 
carpenter  to  come  to  the  tree  which  Abel  was  slain  under. 
Now,  said  she,  carve  me  out  of  this  tree  as  much  wood  as 
will  make  me  a  spindle.  Ah  madam,  said  he,  this  is  the 
tree  the  which  our  first  mother  planted.  Do  it,  said  she, 
or  else  I  shall  destroy  thee.  Anon  as  he  began  to  work 
there  came  out  drops  of  blood  ;  and  then  would  he  have 
left,  but  she  would  not  suffer  him,  and  so  he  took  away 
as  much  wood  as  might  make  a  spindle  :  and  so  she  made 
him  to  take  as  much  of  the  green  tree  and  of  the  white 
tree.  And  when  these  three  spindles  were  shapen  she  made 
them  to  be  fastened  upon  the  selar  of  the  bed.  When 
Solomon  saw  this,  he  said  to  his  wife  :  Ye  have  done 
marvellously,  for  though  all  the  world  were  here  right 
now,  he  could  not  devise  wherefore  all  this  was  made,  but 
Our  Lord  Himself;  and  thou  that  hast  done  it  wottest 


CHAP,  vii  A  TALE  OF  SOLOMON  323 

not  what  it  shall  betoken.  Now  let  it  be,  said  she,  for  ye 
shall  hear  tidings  sooner  than  ye  ween.  Now  shall  ye  hear 
a  wonderful  tale  of  King  Solomon  and  his  wife. 


CHAPTER  VII 

A  wonderful  tale  of  King  Solomon  and  his  wife. 

THAT  night  lay  Solomon  before  the  ship  with  little  fellow- 
ship. And  when  he  was  asleep  him  thought  there  came 
from  heaven  a  great  company  of  angels,  and  alighted  into 
the  ship,  and  took  water  which  was  brought  by  an  angel, 
in  a  vessel  of  silver,  and  sprent  all  the  ship.  And  after 
he  came  to  the  sword,  and  drew  letters  on  the  hilt.  And 
after  went  to  the  ship's  board,  and  wrote  there  other  letters 
which  said  :  Thou  man  that  wilt  enter  within  me,  beware 
that  thou  be  full  within  the  faith,  for  I  ne  am  but  Faith 
and  Belief.  When  Solomon  espied  these  letters  he  was 
abashed,  so  that  he  durst  not  enter,  and  so  drew  him 
aback  ;  and  the  ship  was  anon  shoven  in  the  sea,  and  he 
went  so  fast  that  he  lost  sight  of  him  within  a  little  while. 
And  then  a  little  voice  said  :  Solomon,  the  last  knight  of 
thy  lineage  shall  rest  in  this  bed.  Then  went  Solomon 
and  awaked  his  wife,  and  told  her  of  the  adventures  of 
the  ship. 

Now  saith  the  history  that  a  great  while  the  three 
fellows  beheld  the  bed  and  the  three  spindles.  Then  they 
were  at  certain  that  they  were  of  natural  colours  without 
painting.  Then  they  lift  up  a  cloth  which  was  above  the 
ground,  and  there  found  a  rich  purse  by  seeming.  And 
Percivale  took  it,  and  found  therein  a  writ  and  so  he  read 
it,  and  devised  the  manner  of  the  spindles  and  of  the  ship, 
whence  it  came,  and  by  whom  it  was  made.  Now,  said 
Galahad,  where  shall  we  find  the  gentlewoman  that  shall 
make  new  girdles  to  the  sword  ?  Fair  sir,  said  Percivale's 
sister,  dismay  you  not,  for  by  the  leave  of  God  I  shall  let 
make  a  girdle  to  the  sword,  such  one  as  shall  long  thereto. 


324  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

And  then  she  opened  a  box,  and  took  out  girdles  which 
were  seemly  wrought  with  golden  threads,  and  upon  that 
were  set  full  precious  stones,  and  a  rich  buckle  of  gold. 
Lo,  lords,  said  she,  here  is  a  girdle  that  ought  to  be  set 
about  the  sword.  And  wit  ye  well  the  greatest  part  of 
this  girdle  was  made  of  my  hair,  which  I  loved  well  while 
that  I  was  a  woman  of  the  world.  But  as  soon  as  I  wist 
that  this  adventure  was  ordained  me  I  clipped  off  my  hair, 
and  made  this  girdle  in  the  name  of  God.  Ye  be  well 
found,  said  Sir  Bors,  for  certes  ye  have  put  us  out  of  great 
pain,  wherein  we  should  have  entered  ne  had  your  tidings 
been. 

Then  went  the  gentlewoman  and  set  it  on  the  girdle  of 
the  sword.  Now,  said  the  fellowship,  what  is  the  name  of 
the  sword,  and  what  shall  we  call  it  ?  Truly,  said  she,  the 
name  of  the  sword  is  the  Sword  with  the  Strange  Girdles  ; 
and  the  sheath,  Mover  of  Blood  ;  for  no  man  that  hath 
blood  in  him  ne  shall  never  see  the  one  part  of  the  sheath 
which  was  made  of  the  Tree  of  Life.  Then  they  said  to 
Galahad  :  In  the  name  of  Jesu  Christ,  and  pray  you  that 
ye  gird  you  with  this  sword  which  hath  been  desired  so 
much  in  the  realm  of  Logris.  Now  let  me  begin,  said 
Galahad,  to  grip  this  sword  for  to  give  you  courage  ;  but 
wit  ye  well  it  longeth  no  more  to  me  than  it  doth  to  you. 
And  then  he  gripped  about  it  with  his  fingers  a  great  deal ; 
and  then  she  girt  him  about  the  middle  with  the  sword. 
Now  reck  I  not  though  I  die,  for  now  I  hold  me  one  of  the 
blessed  maidens  of  the  world,  which  hath  made  the  worthiest 
knight  of  the  world.  Damosel,  said  Galahad,  ye  have  done 
so  much  that  I  shall  be  your  knight  all  the  days  of  my  life. 

Then  they  went  from  that  ship,  and  went  to  the  other. 
And  anon  the  wind  drove  them  into  the  sea  a  great  pace, 
but  they  had  no  victuals  :  but  it  befell  that  they  came  on 
the  morn  to  a  castle  that  men  call  Carteloise,  that  was  in 
the  marches  of  Scotland.  And  when  they  had  passed  the 
port,  the  gentlewoman  said  :  Lords,  here  be  men  arriven 
that,  an  they  wist  that  ye  were  of  King  Arthur's  court,  ye 
should  be  assailed  anon.  Damosel,  said  Galahad,  He  that 
cast  us  out  of  the  rock  shall  deliver  us  from  them. 


CH.  viii   HOW  GALAHAD  CAME  TO  A  CASTLE    325 


CHAPTER   VIII 

How  Galahad  and  his  fellows  came  to  a  castle ',  and  how  they 
were  fought  withal,  and  how  they  slew  their  adver- 
saries, and  other  matters. 

So  it  befell  as  they  spoke  thus  there  came  a  squire  by  them, 
and  asked  what  they  were  ;  and  they  said  they  were  of 
King  Arthur's  house.  Is  that  sooth  ?  said  he.  Now  by 
my  head,  said  he,  ye  be  ill  arrayed ;  and  then  turned  he 
again  unto  the  cliff  fortress.  And  within  a  while  they 
heard  an  horn  blow.  Then  a  gentlewoman  came  to  them, 
and  asked  them  of  whence  they  were  ;  and  they  told  her. 
Fair  lords,  said  she,  for  God's  love  turn  again  if  ye  may, 
for  ye  be  come  unto  your  death.  Nay,  they  said,  we  will 
not  turn  again,  for  He  shall  help  us  in  whose  service  we  be 
entered  in.  Then  as  they  stood  talking  there  came  knights 
well  armed,  and  bade  them  yield  them  or  else  to  die.  That 
yielding,  said  they,  shall  be  noyous  to  you.  And  there- 
with they  let  their  horses  run,  and  Sir  Percivale  smote  the 
foremost  to  the  earth,  and  took  his  horse,  and  mounted 
thereupon,  and  the  same  did  Galahad.  Also  Bors  served 
another  so,  for  they  had  no  horses  in  that  country,  for  they 
left  their  horses  when  they  took  their  ship  in  other  coun- 
tries. And  so  when  they  were  horsed  then  began  they  to 
set  upon  them  ;  and  they  of  the  castle  fled  into  the  strong 
fortress,  and  the  three  knights  after  them  into  the  castle, 
and  so  alighted  on  foot,  and  with  their  swords  slew  them 
down,  and  gat  into  the  hall. 

Then  when  they  beheld  the  great  multitude  of  people 
that  they  had  slain,  they  held  themself  great  sinners. 
Certes,  said  Bors,  I  ween  an  God  had  loved  them  that  we 
should  not  have  had  power  to  have  slain  them  thus.  But 
they  have  done  so  much  against  Our  Lord  that  He  would 
not  suffer  them  to  reign  no  longer.  Say  ye  not  so,  said 
Galahad,  for  if  they  misdid  against  God,  the  vengeance  is 
not  ours,  but  to  Him  which  hath  power  thereof. 


326  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

So  came  there  out  of  a  chamber  a  good  man  which  was 
a  priest,  and  bare  God's  body  in  a  cup.  And  when  he  saw 
them  which  lay  dead  in  the  hall  he  was  all  abashed  ;  and 
Galahad  did  off  his  helm  and  kneeled  down,  and  so  did  his 
two  fellows.  Sir,  said  they,  have  ye  no  dread  of  us,  for 
we  be  of  King  Arthur's  court.  Then  asked  the  good  man 
how  they  were  slain  so  suddenly,  and  they,  told  it  him. 
Truly,  said  the  good  man,  an  ye  might  live  as  long  as  the 
world  might  endure,  ne  might  ye  have  done  so  great  an 
alms-deed  as  this.  Sir,  said  Galahad,  I  repent  me  much, 
inasmuch  as  they  were  christened.  Nay,  repent  you  not, 
said  he,  for  they  were  not  christened,  and  I  shall  tell  you 
how  that  I  wot  of  this  castle.  Here  was  Lord  Earl  Hernox 
not  but  one  year,  and  he  had  three  sons,  good  knights  of 
arms,  and  a  daughter,  the  fairest  gentlewoman  that  men 
knew.  So  those  three  knights  loved  their  sister  so  sore 
that  they  brent  in  love,  and  so  they  lay  by  her,  maugre  her 
head.  And  for  she  cried  to  her  father  they  slew  her,  and 
took  their  father  and  put  him  in  prison,  and  wounded  him 
nigh  to  the  death,  but  a  cousin  of  hers  rescued  him.  And 
then  did  they  great  untruth  :  they  slew  clerks  and  priests, 
and  made  beat  down  chapels,  that  Our  Lord's  service  might 
not  be  served  nor  said.  And  this  same  day  her  father  sent 
to  me  for  to  be  confessed  and  houseled ;  but  such  shame 
had  never  man  as  I  had  this  day  with  the  three  brethren, 
but  the  earl  bade  me  suffer,  for  he  said  they  should  not 
long  endure,  for  three  servants  of  Our  Lord  should  destroy 
them,  and  now  it  is  brought  to  an  end.  And  by  this  may 
ye  wit  that  Our  Lord  is  not  displeased  with  your  deeds. 
Certes,  said  Galahad,  an  it  had  not  pleased  Our  Lord,  never 
should  we  have  slain  so  many  men  in  so  little  a  while. 

And  then  they  brought  the  Earl  Hernox  out  of  prison 
into  the  midst  of  the  hall,  that  knew  Galahad  anon,  and  yet 
he  saw  him  never  afore  but  by  revelation  of  Our  Lord. 


CHAP,  ix     HOW  THEY  CAME  TO  A  FOREST         327 


CHAPTER    IX 

How  the  three  knight  s^  with  Per  civ  ale's  sister^  came  unto 
the  same  forest,  and  of  an  hart  and  four  lions ',  and 
other  things. 

THEN  began  he  to  weep  right  tenderly,  and  said  :  Long 
have  I  abiden  your  coming,  but  for  God's  love  hold  me  in 
your  arms,  that  my  soul  may  depart  out  of  my  body  in  so 
good  a  man's  arms  as  ye  be.  Gladly,  said  Galahad.  And 
then  one  said  on  high,  that  all  heard  :  Galahad,  well  hast 
thou  avenged  me  on  God's  enemies.  Now  behoveth  thee 
to  go  to  the  Maimed  King  as  soon  as  thou  mayest,  for  he 
shall  receive  by  thee  health  which  he  hath  abiden  so  long. 
And  therewith  the  soul  departed  from  the  body,  and 
Galahad  made  him  to  be  buried  as  him  ought  to  be. 

Right  so  departed  the  three  knights,  and  Percivale's 
sister  with  them.  And  so  they  came  into  a  waste  forest, 
and  there  they  saw  afore  them  a  white  hart  which  four 
lions  led.  Then  they  took  them  to  assent  for  to  follow 
after  for  to  know  whither  they  repaired ;  and  so  they  rode 
after  a  great  pace  till  that  they  came  to  a  valley,  and  thereby 
was  an  hermitage  where  a  good  man  dwelled,  and  the  hart 
and  the  lions  entered  also.  So  when  they  saw  all  this  they 
turned  to  the  chapel,  and  saw  the  good  man  in  a  religious 
weed  and  in  the  armour  of  Our  Lord,  for  he  would  sing 
mass  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  so  they  entered  in  and  heard 
mass.  And  at  the  secrets  of  the  mass  they  three  saw  the 
hart  become  a  man,  the  which  marvelled  them,  and  set  him 
upon  the  altar  in  a  rich  siege  ;  and  saw  the  four  lions  were 
changed,  the  one  to  the  form  of  a  man,  the  other  to  the 
form  of  a  lion,  and  the  third  to  an  eagle,  and  the  fourth 
was  changed  unto  an  ox.  Then  took  they  their  siege 
where  the  hart  sat,  and  went  out  through  a  glass  window, 
and  there  was  nothing  perished  nor  broken  ;  and  they  heard 
a  voice  say  :  In  such  a  manner  entered  the  Son  of  God  in 
the  womb  of  a  maid  Mary,  whose  virginity  ne  was  perished 


328  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

ne  hurt.  And  when  they  heard  these  words  they  fell  down 
to  the  earth  and  were  astonied ;  and  therewith  was  a  great 
clearness. 

And  when  they  were  come  to  theirself  again  they  went 
to  the  good  man  and  prayed  him  that  he  would  say  them 
truth.  What  thing  have  ye  seen  ?  said  he.  And  they  told 
him  all  that  they  had  seen.  Ah  lords,  said  he,  ye  be  wel- 
come ;  now  wot  I  well  ye  be  the  good  knights  the  which 
shall  bring  the  Sangreal  to  an  end  ;  for  ye  be  they  unto 
whom  Our  Lord  shall  shew  great  secrets.  And  well  ought 
Our  Lord  be  signified  to  an  hart,  for  the  hart  when  he  is 
old  he  waxeth  young  again  in  his  white  skin.  Right  so 
cometh  again  Our  Lord  from  death  to  life,  for  He  lost 
earthly  flesh  that  was  the  deadly  flesh,  which  He  had  taken 
in  the  womb  of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary  ;  and  for  that  cause 
appeared  Our  Lord  as  a  white  hart  without  spot.  And 
the  four  that  were  with  Him  is  to  understand  the  four 
evangelists  which  set  in  writing  a  part  of  Jesu  Christ's 
deeds  that  He  did  sometime  when  He  was  among  you  an 
earthly  man  ;  for  wit  ye  well  never  erst  ne  might  no  knight 
know  the  truth,  for  ofttimes  or  this  Our  Lord  showed  Him 
unto  good  men  and  unto  good  knights,  in  likeness  of  an 
hart,  but  I  suppose  from  henceforth  ye  shall  see  no  more. 
And  then  they  joyed  much,  and  dwelled  there  all  that  day. 
And  upon  the  morrow  when  they  had  heard  mass  they 
departed  and  commended  the  good  man  to  God  :  and  so 
they  came  to  a  castle  and  passed  by.  So  there  came  a 
knight  armed  after  them  and  said  :  Lords,  hark  what  I  shall 
say  to  you. 


CHAPTER    X 

How  they  were  desired  of  a  strange  custom,  the  which  they 
would  not  obey ;  wherefore  they  fought  and  slew  many 
knights. 

THIS  gentlewoman  that  ye  lead  with  you  is   a  maid  ? 
Sir,  said  she,  a  maid  I  am.     Then  he  took  her  by  the 


;As  soon  as  I  wist  that  this  adventure  was  ordained  me  I  clipped  off  my  hair,  and 
made  this  girdle  in  the  name  of  God.'" — Book  XVII.,  Chapter  VII. 


CH.  x   THE  STRANGE  CUSTOM  OF  A  CASTLE    329 

bridle  and  said  :  By  the  Holy  Cross,  ye  shall  not  escape 
me  to-fore  ye  have  yolden  the  custom  of  this  castle.  Let 
her  go,  said  Percivale,  ye  be  not  wise,  for  a  maid  in  what 
place  she  cometh  is  free.  So  in  the  meanwhile  there  came 
out  a  ten  or  twelve  knights  armed,  out  of  the  castle,  and 
with  them  came  gentlewomen  which  held  a  dish  of  silver. 
And  then  they  said  :  This  gentlewoman  must  yield  us 
the  custom  of  this  castle.  Sir,  said  a  knight,  what  maid 
passeth  hereby  shall  give  this  dish  full  of  blood  of  her 
right  arm.  Blame  have  ye,  said  Galahad,  that  brought 
up  such  customs,  and  so  God  me  save,  I  ensure  you  of 
this  gentlewoman  ye  shall  fail  while  that  I  live.  So  God 
me  help,  said  Percivale,  I  had  liefer  be  slain.  And  I  also, 
said  Sir  Bors.  By  my  troth,  said  the  knight,  then  shall 
ye  die,  for  ye  may  not  endure  against  us  though  ye  were 
the  best  knights  of  the  world. 

Then  let  they  run  each  to  other,  and  the  three  fellows 
beat  the  ten  knights,  and  then  set  their  hands  to  their 
swords  and  beat  them  down  and  slew  them.  Then  there 
came  out  of  the  castle  a  three  score  knights  armed.  Fair 
lords,  said  the  three  fellows,  have  mercy  on  yourself  and 
have  not  ado  with  us.  Nay,  fair  lords,  said  the  knights 
of  the  castle,  we  counsel  you  to  withdraw  you,  for  ye  be 
the  best  knights  of  the  world,  and  therefore  do  no  more, 
for  ye  have  done  enough.  We  will  let  you  go  with  this 
harm,  but  we  must  needs  have  the  custom.  Certes,  said 
Galahad,  for  nought  speak  ye.  Well,  said  they,  will  ye  die  ? 
We  be  not  yet  come  thereto,  said  Galahad.  Then  began 
they  to  meddle  together,  and  Galahad,  with  the  strange 
girdles,  drew  his  sword,  and  smote  on  the  right  hand  and 
on  the  left  hand,  and  slew  what  that  ever  abode  him,  and 
did  such  marvels  that  there  was  none  that  saw  him  but 
weened  he  had  been  none  earthly  man,  but  a  monster. 
And  his  two  fellows  halp  him  passing  well,  and  so  they 
held  the  journey  everych  in  like  hard  till  it  was  night : 
then  must  they  needs  depart. 

So  came  in  a  good  knight,  and  said  to  the  three 
fellows  :  If  ye  will  come  in  to-night  and  take  such  harbour 
as  here  is  ye  shall  be  right  welcome,  and  we  shall  ensure 


330  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

you  by  the  faith  of  our  bodies,  and  as  we  be  true  knights, 
to  leave  you  in  such  estate  to-morrow  as  we  find  you, 
without  any  falsehood.  And  as  soon  as  ye  know  of  the 
custom  we  dare  say  ye  will  accord  therefore.  For  God's 
love,  said  the  gentlewoman,  go  thither  and  spare  not  for 
me.  Go  we,  said  Galahad  ;  and  so  they  entered  into  the 
chapel.  And  when  they  were  alighted  they  made  great 
joy  of  them.  So  within  a  while  the  three  knights  asked 
the  custom  of  the  castle  and  wherefore  it  was.  What  it 
is,  said  they,  we  will  say  you  sooth. 


CHAPTER    XI 

How  Sir  Percivale's  sister  bled  a  dish  full  of  blood  Jor  to 
heal  a  lady,  wherefore  she  died;  and  how  that  the 
body  was  -put  in  a  ship. 

THERE  is  in  this  castle  a  gentlewoman  which  we  and  this 
castle  is  hers,  and  many  other.  So  it  befell  many  years 
agone  there  fell  upon  her  a  malady  ;  and  when  she  had 
lain  a  great  while  she  fell  unto  a  measle,  and  of  no  leech 
she  could  have  no  remedy.  But  at  the  last  an  old  man 
said  an  she  might  have  a  dish  full  of  blood  of  a  maid  and 
a  clean  virgin  in  will  and  in  work,  and  a  king's  daughter, 
that  blood  should  be  her  health,  and  for  to  anoint  her 
withal ;  and  for  this  thing  was  this  custom  made.  Now, 
said  Percivale's  sister,  fair  knights,  I  see  well  that  this 
gentlewoman  is  but  dead.  Certes,  said  Galahad,  an  ye 
bleed  so  much  ye  may  die.  Truly,  said  she,  an  I  die  for 
to  heal  her  I  shall  get  me  great  worship  and  soul's  health, 
and  worship  to  my  lineage,  and  better  is  one  harm  than 
twain.  And  therefore  there  shall  be  no  more  battle,  but 
to-morn  I  shall  yield  you  your  custom  of  this  castle.  And 
then  there  was  great  joy  more  than  there  was  to-fore,  for 
else  had  there  been  mortal  war  upon  the  morn  ;  notwith- 
standing she  would  none  other,  whether  they  wold  or 
nold. 


CHAP,  xi       HOW  PERCIVALE'S  SISTER  DIED         331 

That  night  were  the  three  fellows  eased  with  the  best ; 
and  on  the  morn  they  heard  mass,  and  Sir  Percivale's 
sister  bade  bring  forth  the  sick  lady.  So  she  was,  the 
which  was  evil  at  ease.  Then  said  she  :  Who  shall  let 
me  blood  ?  So  one  came  forth  and  let  her  blood,  and  she 
bled  so  much  that  the  dish  was  full.  Then  she  lift  up 
her  hand  and  blessed  her  ;  and  then  she  said  to  the  lady  : 
Madam,  I  am  come  to  the  death  for  to  make  you  whole, 
for  God's  love  pray  for  me.  With  that  she  fell  in  a 
swoon.  Then  Galahad  and  his  two  fellows  start  up  to 
her,  and  lift  her  up  and  staunched  her,  but  she  had  bled 
so  much  that  she  might  not  live.  Then  she  said  when 
she  was  awaked  :  Fair  brother  Percivale,  I  die  for  the 
healing  of  this  lady,  so  I  require  you  that  ye  bury  me 
not  in  this  country,  but  as  soon  as  I  am  dead  put  me  in 
a  boat  at  the  next  haven,  and  let  me  go  as  adventure  will 
lead  me  ;  and  as  soon  as  ye  three  come  to  the  City  of 
Sarras,  there  to  enchieve  the  Holy  Grail,  ye  shall  find  me 
under  a  tower  arrived,  and  there  bury  me  in  the  spiritual 
place  ;  for  I  say  you  so  much,  there  Galahad  shall  be 
buried,  and  ye  also,  in  the  same  place. 

Then  Percivale  understood  these  words,  and  granted 
it  her,  weeping.  And  then  said  a  voice  :  Lords  and 
fellows,  to-morrow  at  the  hour  of  prime  ye  three  shall 
depart  everych  from  other,  till  the  adventure  bring  you 
to  the  Maimed  King.  Then  asked  she  her  Saviour  ;  and 
as  soon  as  she  had  received  it  the  soul  departed  from  the 
body.  So  the  same  day  was  the  lady  healed,  when  she 
was  anointed  withal.  Then  Sir  Percivale  made  a  letter  of 
all  that  she  had  holpen  them  as  in  strange  adventures,  and 
put  it  in  her  right  hand,  and  so  laid  her  in  a  barge,  and 
covered  it  with  black  silk  ;  and  so  the  wind  arose,  and 
drove  the  barge  from  the  land,  and  all  knights  beheld  it 
till  it  was  out  of  their  sight.  Then  they  drew  all  to  the 
castle,  and  so  forthwith  there  fell  a  sudden  tempest  and  a 
thunder,  lightning,  and  rain,  as  all  the  earth  would  have 
broken.  So  half  the  castle  turned  up-so-down.  So  it 
passed  evensong  or  the  tempest  was  ceased. 

Then   they   saw   afore    them    a    knight    armed    and 


332  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

wounded  hard  in  the  body  and  in  the  head,  that  said :  O 
God,  succour  me  for  now  it  is  need.  After  this  knight 
came  another  knight  and  a  dwarf,  which  cried  to  them 
afar  :  Stand,  ye  may  not  escape.  Then  the  wounded  knight 
held  up  his  hands  to  God  that  he  should  not  die  in  such 
tribulation.  Truly,  said  Galahad,  I  shall  succour  him  for 
His  sake  that  he  calleth  upon.  Sir,  said  Bors,  I  shall  do 
it,  for  it  is  not  for  you,  for  he  is  but  one  knight.  Sir,  said 
he,  I  grant.  So  Sir  Bors  took  his  horse,  and  commended 
him  to  God,  and  rode  after,  to  rescue  the  wounded  knight. 
Now  turn  we  to  the  two  fellows. 


CHAPTER    XII 

How  Galahad  and  Per  civ  ale  found  in  a  castle  many  tombs 
of  maidens  that  had  bled  to  death. 

Now  saith  the  story  that  all  night  Galahad  and  Percivale 
were  in  a  chapel  in  their  prayers,  for  to  save  Sir  Bors.  So 
on  the  morrow  they  dressed  them  in  their  harness  toward 
the  castle,  to  wit  what  was  fallen  of  them  therein.  And 
when  they  came  there  they  found  neither  man  nor  woman 
that  he  ne  was  dead  by  the  vengeance  of  Our  Lord. 
With  that  they  heard  a  voice  that  said :  This  vengeance 
is  for  blood-shedding  of  maidens.  Also  they  found  at  the 
end  of  the  chapel  a  churchyard,  and  therein  might  they 
see  a  three  score  fair  tombs,  and  that  place  was  so  fair  and 
so  delectable  that  it  seemed  them  there  had  been  none 
tempest,  for  there  lay  the  bodies  of  all  the  good  maidens 
which  were  martyred  for  the  sick  lady's  sake.  Also  they 
found  the  names  of  everych,  and  of  what  blood  they  were 
come,  and  all  were  of  kings'  blood,  and  twelve  of  them 
were  kings'  daughters.  Then  they  departed  and  went 
into  a  forest.  Now,  said  Percivale  unto  Galahad,  we 
must  depart,  so  pray  we  Our  Lord  that  we  may  meet 
together  in  short  time  :  then  they  did  off  their  helms  and 
kissed  together,  and  wept  at  their  departing. 


CH.  xui    HOW  LAUNCELOT  MET  GALAHAD       333 


CHAPTER    XIII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  entered  into  the  ship  where  Sir  Percivak's 
sister  lay  dead,  and  how  he  met  with  Sir  Galahad, 
his  son. 

Now  saith  the  history,  that  when  Launcelot  was  come  to 
the  water  of  Mortoise,  as  it  is  rehearsed  before,  he  was  in 
great  peril,  and  so  he  laid  him  down  and  slept,  and  took 
the  adventure  that  God  would  send  him.  So  when  he  was 
asleep  there  came  a  vision  unto  him  and  said  :  Launcelot, 
arise  up  and  take  thine  armour,  and  enter  into  the  first 
ship  that  thou  shalt  find.  And  when  he  heard  these  words 
he  start  up  and  saw  great  clearness  about  him.  And  then 
he  lift  up  his  hand  and  blessed  him,  and  so  took  his  arms 
and  made  him  ready  ;  and  so  by  adventure  he  came  by  a 
strand,  and  found  a  ship  the  which  was  without  sail  or  oar. 
And  as  soon  as  he  was  within  the  ship  there  he  felt  the 
most  sweetness  that  ever  he  felt,  and  he  was  fulfilled  with 
all  thing  that  he  thought  on  or  desired.  Then  he  said  : 
Fair  sweet  Father,  Jesu  Christ,  I  wot  not  in  what  joy 
I  am,  for  this  joy  passeth  all  earthly  joys  that  ever  I  was 
in.  And  so  in  this  joy  he  laid  him  down  to  the  ship's 
board,  and  slept  till  day.  And  when  he  awoke  he  found 
there  a  fair  bed,  and  therein  lying  a  gentlewoman  dead, 
the  which  was  Sir  Percivale's  sister.  And  as  Launcelot 
devised  her,  he  espied  in  her  right  hand  a  writ,  the  which 
he  read,  the  which  told  him  all  the  adventures  that  ye 
have  heard  to-fore,  and  of  what  lineage  she  was  come.  So 
with  this  gentlewoman  Sir  Launcelot  was  a  month  and 
more.  If  ye  would  ask  how  he  lived,  He  that  fed  the 
people  of  Israel  with  manna  in  the  desert,  so  was  he  fed  ; 
for  every  day  when  he  had  said  his  prayers  he  was  sustained 
with  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

So  on  a  night  he  went  to  play  him  by  the  water  side, 
for  he  was  somewhat  weary  of  the  ship.  And  then  he 
listened  and  heard  an  horse  come,  and  one  riding  upon 


334  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

him.  And  when  he  came  nigh  he  seemed  a  knight.  And 
so  he  let  him  pass,  and  went  thereas  the  ship  was  ;  and 
there  he  alighted,  and  took  the  saddle  and  the  bridle  and 
put  the  horse  from  him,  and  went  into  the  ship.  And  then 
Launcelot  dressed  unto  him,  and  said  :  Ye  be  welcome. 
And  he  answered  and  saluted  him  again,  and  asked  him  : 
What  is  your  name  ?  for  much  my  heart  giveth  unto  you. 
Truly,  said  he,  my  name  is  Launcelot  du  Lake.  Sir,  said 
he,  then  be  ye  welcome,  for  ye  were  the  beginner  of  me  in 
this  world.  Ah,  said  he,  are  ye  Galahad  ?  Yea,  forsooth, 
said  he  ;  and  so  he  kneeled  down  and  asked  him  his 
blessing,  and  after  took  off  his  helm  and  kissed  him. 
And  there  was  great  joy  between  them,  for  there  is  no 
tongue  can  tell  the  joy  that  they  made  either  of  other, 
and  many  a  friendly  word  spoken  between,  as  kin 
would,  the  which  is  no  need  here  to  be  rehearsed.  And 
there  everych  told  other  of  their  adventures  and  marvels 
that  were  befallen  to  them  in  many  journeys  sith  that  they 
departed  from  the  court. 

Anon,  as  Galahad  saw  the  gentlewoman  dead  in  the 
bed,  he  knew  her  well  enough,  and  told  great  worship  of 
her,  that  she  was  the  best  maid  living,  and  it  was  great 
pity  of  her  death.  But  when  Launcelot  heard  how  the 
marvellous  sword  was  gotten,  and  who  made  it,  and  all 
the  marvels  rehearsed  afore,  then  he  prayed  Galahad,  his 
son,  that  he  would  show  him  the  sword,  and  so  he  did ; 
and  anon  he  kissed  the  pommel,  and  the  hilt,  and  the 
scabbard.  Truly,  said  Launcelot,  never  erst  knew  I  of  so 
high  adventures  done,  and  so  marvellous  and  strange. 
So  dwelt  Launcelot  and  Galahad  within  that  ship  half  a 
year,  and  served  God  daily  and  nightly  with  all  their 
power ;  and  often  they  arrived  in  isles  far  from  folk, 
where  there  repaired  none  but  wild  beasts,  and  there  they 
found  many  strange  adventures  and  perilous,  which  they 
brought  to  an  end  ;  but  for  those  adventures  were  with 
wild  beasts,  and  not  in  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal,  therefore 
the  tale  maketh  here  no  mention  thereof,  for  it  would  be 
too  long  to  tell  of  all  those  adventures  that  befell  them. 


CH.XIV      OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GALAHAD  335 


CHAPTER   XIV 

How  a  knight  brought  unto  Sir  Galahad  a  horse,  and  bade 
him  come  from  his  father,  Sir  Launcelot. 

So  after,  on  a  Monday,  it  befell  that  they  arrived  in  the 
edge  of  a  forest  to-fore  a  cross  ;  and  then  saw  they  a 
knight  armed  all  in  white,  and  was  richly  horsed,  and  led 
in  his  right  hand  a  white  horse  ;  and  so  he  came  to  the 
ship,  and  saluted  the  two  knights  on  the  High  Lord's 
behalf,  and  said  :  Galahad,  sir,  ye  have  been  long  enough 
with  your  father,  come  out  of  the  ship,  and  start  upon 
this  horse,  and  go  where  the  adventures  shall  lead  thee  in 
the  quest  of  the  Sangreal.  Then  he  went  to  his  father 
and  kissed  him  sweetly,  and  said  :  Fair  sweet  father,  I  wot 
not  when  I  shall  see  you  more  till  I  see  the  body  of  Jesu 
Christ.  I  pray  you,  said  Launcelot,  pray  ye  to  the  High 
Father  that  He  hold  me  in  His  service.  And  so  he  took 
his  horse,  and  there  they  heard  a  voice  that  said  :  Think 
for  to  do  well,  for  the  one  shall  never  see  the  other  before 
the  dreadful  day  of  doom.  Now,  son  Galahad,  said 
Launcelot,  since  we  shall  depart,  and  never  see  other,  I 
pray  to  the  High  Father  to  conserve  me  and  you  both. 
Sir,  said  Galahad,  no  prayer  availeth  so  much  as  yours. 
And  therewith  Galahad  entered  into  the  forest. 

And  the  wind  arose,  and  drove  Launcelot  more  than  a 
month  throughout  the  sea,  where  he  slept  but  little,  but 
prayed  to  God  that  he  might  see  some  tidings  of  the 
Sangreal.  So  it  befell  on  a  night,  at  midnight,  he  arrived 
afore  a  castle,  on  the  back  side,  which  was  rich  and  fair, 
and  there  was  a  postern  opened  toward  the  sea,  and  was 
open  without  any  keeping,  save  two  lions  kept  the  entry  ; 
and  the  moon  shone  clear.  Anon  Sir  Launcelot  heard  a 
voice  that  said  :  Launcelot,  go  out  of  this  ship  and  enter 
into  the  castle,  where  thou  shalt  see  a  great  part  of  thy 
desire.  Then  he  ran  to  his  arms,  and  so  armed  him,  and 
so  went  to  the  gate  and  saw  the  lions.  Then  set  he  hand 


336  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

to  his  sword  and  drew  it.  Then  there  came  a  dwarf 
suddenly,  and  smote  him  on  the  arm  so  sore  that  the 
sword  fell  out  of  his  hand.  Then  heard  he  a  voice  say  : 
O  man  of  evil  faith  and  poor  belief,  wherefore  trowest 
thou  more  on  thy  harness  than  in  thy  Maker,  for  He 
might  more  avail  thee  than  thine  armour,  in  whose 
service  that  thou  art  set.  Then  said  Launcelot :  Fair 
Father  Jesu  Christ,  I  thank  thee  of  Thy  great  mercy  that 
Thou  reprovest  me  of  my  misdeed  ;  now  see  I  well  that 
ye  hold  me  for  your  servant.  Then  took  he  again  his 
sword  and  put  it  up  in  his  sheath,  and  made  a  cross  in  his 
forehead,  and  came  to  the  lions,  and  they  made  semblaunt 
to  do  him  harm.  Notwithstanding  he  passed  by  them 
without  hurt,  and  entered  into  the  castle  to  the  chief 
fortress,  and  there  were  they  all  at  rest.  Then  Launcelot 
entered  in  so  armed,  for  he  found  no  gate  nor  door  but  it 
was  open.  And  at  the  last  he  found  a  chamber  whereof 
the  door  was  shut,  and  he  set  his  hand  thereto  to  have 
opened  it,  but  he  might  not. 


CHAPTER  XV 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  to-fore  the  door  of  the  chamber 
wherein  the  Holy  Sangreal  was. 

THEN  he  enforced  him  mickle  to  undo  the  door.  Then 
he  listened  and  heard  a  voice  which  sang  so  sweetly  that 
it  seemed  none  earthly  thing  ;  and  him  thought  the  voice 
said  :  Joy  and  honour  be  to  the  Father  of  Heaven.  Then 
Launcelot  kneeled  down  to-fore  the  chamber,  for  well 
wist  he  that  there  was  the  Sangreal  within  that  chamber. 
Then  said  he  :  Fair  sweet  Father,  Jesu  Christ,  if  ever  I 
did  thing  that  pleased  Thee,  Lord  for  Thy  pity  never 
have  me  not  in  despite  for  my  sins  done  aforetime,  and 
that  Thou  show  me  something  of  that  I  seek.  And  with 
that  he  saw  the  chamber  door  open,  and  there  came  out  a 


"'Sir,'  said  a  knight,  'what  maid  passeth  hereby  shall  give  this  dish  full  of  blood 
of  her  right  arm.'" — Book  XVII.,  Chapter  X. 


CH.  xv   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  THE  SANGREAL   337 

great  clearness,  that  the  house  was  as  bright  as  all  the 
torches  of  the  world  had  been  there. 

So  came  he  to  the  chamber  door,  and  would  have 
entered.  And  anon  a  voice  said  to  him  :  Flee,  Launcelot, 
and  enter  not,  for  thou  oughtest  not  to  do  it ;  and  if 
thou  enter  thou  shalt  for-think  it.  Then  he  withdrew 
him  aback  right  heavy.  Then  looked  he  up  in  the  midst 
of  the  chamber,  and  saw  a  table  of  silver,  and  the  Holy 
Vessel,  covered  with  red  samite,  and  many  angels  about  it, 
whereof  one  held  a  candle  of  wax  burning,  and  the  other 
held  a  cross,  and  the  ornaments  of  an  altar.  And  before 
the  Holy  Vessel  he  saw  a  good  man  clothed  as  a  priest. 
And  it  seemed  that  he  was  at  the  sacring  of  the  mass.  And 
it  seemed  to  Launcelot  that  above  the  priest's  hands  were 
three  men,  whereof  the  two  put  the  youngest  by  likeness 
between  the  priest's  hands  ;  and  so  he  lift  it  up  right  high, 
and  it  seemed  to  show  so  to  the  people.  And  then 
Launcelot  marvelled  not  a  little,  for  him  thought  the 
priest  was  so  greatly  charged  of  the  figure  that  him 
seemed  that  he  should  fall  to  the  earth.  And  when  he 
saw  none  about  him  that  would  help  him,  then  came  he  to 
the  door  a  great  pace,  and  said  :  Fair  Father  Jesu  Christ, 
ne  take  it  for  no  sin  though  I  help  the  good  man  which 
hath  great  need  of  help. 

Right  so  entered  he  into  the  chamber,  and  came 
toward  the  table  of  silver  ;  and  when  he  came  nigh  he  felt 
a  breath,  that  him  thought  it  was  intermeddled  with  fire, 
which  smote  him  so  sore  in  the  visage  that  him  thought  it 
brent  his  visage  ;  and  therewith  he  fell  to  the  earth,  and 
had  no  power  to  arise,  as  he  that  was  so  araged,  that  had 
lost  the  power  of  his  body,  and  his  hearing,  and  his  seeing. 
Then  felt  he  many  hands  about  him,  which  took  him  up 
and  bare  him  out  of  the  chamber  door,  without  any 
amending  of  his  swoon,  and  left  him  there,  seeming  dead 
to  all  people. 

So  upon  the  morrow  when  it  was  fair  day  they  within 

were  arisen,  and  found  Launcelot  lying  afore  the  chamber 

door.     All  they  marvelled  how  that  he  came  in,  and  so 

they  looked  upon  him,  and  felt  his  pulse  to  wit  whether 

VOL.  n  z 


338  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

there  were  any  life  in  him  ;  and  so  they  found  life  in  him, 
but  he  might  not  stand  nor  stir  no  member  that  he  had. 
And  so  they  took  him  by  every  part  of  the  body,  and 
bare  him  into  a  chamber,  and  laid  him  in  a  rich  bed,  far 
from  all  folk ;  and  so  he  lay  four  days.  Then  the  one 
said  he  was  alive,  and  the  other  said,  Nay.  In  the  name 
of  God,  said  an  old  man,  for  I  do  you  verily  to  wit  he  is 
not  dead,  but  he  is  so  full  of  life  as  the  mightiest  of  you 
all ;  and  therefore  I  counsel  you  that  he  be  well  kept  till 
God  send  him  life  again. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

How  Sir  Launcelot  had  lain  four-and-twenty  days  and  as 
many  nights  as  a  dead  man^  and  other  divers  matters. 

IN  such  manner  they  kept  Launcelot  four-and-twenty 
days  and  all  so  many  nights,  that  ever  he  lay  still  as  a 
dead  man  ;  and  at  the  twenty-fifth  day  befell  him  after 
midday  that  he  opened  his  eyes.  And  when  he  saw  folk 
he  made  great  sorrow,  and  said  :  Why  have  ye  awaked 
me,  for  I  was  more  at  ease  than  I  am  now.  O  Jesu 
Christ,  who  might  be  so  blessed  that  might  see  openly 
thy  great  marvels  of  secretness  there  where  no  sinner  may 
be !  What  have  ye  seen  ?  said  they  about  him.  I 
have  seen,  said  he,  so  great  marvels  that  no  tongue  may 
tell,  and  more  than  any  heart  can  think,  and  had  not  my 
son  been  here  afore  me  I  had  seen  much  more. 

Then  they  told  him  how  he  had  lain  there  four-and- 
twenty  days  and  nights.  Then  him  thought  it  was 
punishment  for  the  four-and-twenty  years  that  he  had 
been  a  sinner,  wherefore  Our  Lord  put  him  in  penance 
four-and-twenty  days  and  nights.  Then  looked  Sir 
Launcelot  afore  him,  and  saw  the  hair  which  he  had 
borne  nigh  a  year,  for  that  he  for-thought  him  right 
much  that  he  had  broken  his  promise  unto  the  hermit, 
which  he  had  avowed  to  do.  Then  they  asked  how  it 


CH.  xvi    SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  KING  PELLES     339 

stood  with  him.  Forsooth,  said  he,  I  am  whole  of  body, 
thanked  be  Our  Lord  ;  therefore,  sirs,  for  God's  love  tell 
me  where  I  am.  Then  said  they  all  that  he  was  in  the 
castle  of  Carbonek. 

Therewith  came  a  gentlewoman  and  brought  him 
a  shirt  of  small  linen  cloth,  but  he  changed  not  there, 
but  took  the  hair  to  him  again.  Sir,  said  they,  the 
quest  of  the  Sangreal  is  achieved  now  right  in  you,  that 
never  shall  ye  see  of  the  Sangreal  no  more  than  ye  have 
seen.  Now  I  thank  God,  said  Launcelot,  of  His  great 
mercy  of  that  I  have  seen,  for  it  sufficed!  me  ;  for  as  I 
suppose  no  man  in  this  world  hath  Jived  better  than  I 
have  done  to  enchieve  that  I  have  done.  And  therewith 
he  took  the  hair  and  clothed  him  in  it,  and  above  that  he 
put  a  linen  shirt,  and  after  a  robe  of  scarlet,  fresh  and 
new.  And  when  he  was  so  arrayed  they  marvelled  all, 
for  they  knew  him  that  he  was  Launcelot,  the  good 
knight.  And  then  they  said  all :  O  my  lord  Sir  Launce- 
lot, be  that  ye  ?  And  he  said  :  Truly  I  am  he. 

Then  came  word  to  King  Pelles  that  the  knight  that 
had  lain  so  long  dead  was  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  was  the 
king  right  glad,  and  went  to  see  him.  And  when  Launce- 
lot saw  him  come  he  dressed  him  against  him,  and  there 
made  the  king  great  joy  of  him.  And  there  the  king 
told  him  tidings  that  his  fair  daughter  was  dead.  Then 
Launcelot  was  right  heavy  of  it,  and  said  :  Sir,  me  for- 
thinketh  the  death  of  your  daughter,  for  she  was  a  full 
fair  lady,  fresh  and  young.  And  well  I  wot  she  bare  the 
best  knight  that  is  now  on  the  earth,  or  that  ever  was  sith 
God  was  born.  So  the  king  held  him  there  four  days, 
and  on  the  morrow  he  took  his  leave  at  King  Pelles 
and  at  all  the  fellowship,  and  thanked  them  of  their  great 
labour. 

Right  so  as  they  sat  at  their  dinner  in  the  chief  salle, 
then  was  so  befallen  that  the  Sangreal  had  fulfilled  the  table 
with  all  manner  of  meats  that  any  heart  might  think.  So 
as  they  sat  they  saw  all  the  doors  and  the  windows  of  the 
place  were  shut  without  man's  hand,  whereof  they  were 
all  abashed,  and  none  wist  what  to  do. 


340  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

And  then  it  happed  suddenly  a  knight  came  to  the 
chief  door  and  knocked,  and  cried  :  Undo  the  door.  But 
they  would  not.  And  ever  he  cried  :  Undo  ;  but  they 
would  not.  And  at  last  it  noyed  them  so  much  that 
the  king  himself  arose  and  came  to  a  window  there  where 
the  knight  called.  Then  he  said  :  Sir  knight,  ye  shall 
not  enter  at  this  time  while  the  Sangreal  is  here,  and 
therefore  go  into  another  ;  for  certes  ye  be  none  of  the 
knights  of  the  quest,  but  one  of  them  which  hath  served 
the  fiend,  and  hast  left  the  service  of  Our  Lord  :  and  he 
was  passing  wroth  at  the  king's  words.  Sir  knight,  said 
the  king,  sith  ye  would  so  fain  enter,  say  me  of  what 
country  ye  be.  Sir,  said  he,  I  am  of  the  realm  of  Logris, 
and  my  name  is  Ector  de  Maris,  and  brother  unto  my 
lord,  Sir  Launcelot.  In  the  name  of  God,  said  the  king, 
me  for-thinketh  of  what  I  have  said,  for  your  brother  is 
here  within.  And  when  Ector  de  Maris  understood  that 
his  brother  was  there,  for  he  was  the  man  in  the  world 
that  he  most  dread  and  loved,  and  then  he  said  :  Ah  God, 
now  doubleth  my  sorrow  and  shame.  Full  truly  said  the 
good  man  of  the  hill  unto  Gawaine  and  to  me  of  our 
dreams.  Then  went  he  out  of  the  court  as  fast  as  his 
horse  might,  and  so  throughout  the  castle. 


CHAPTER   XVII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  returned  towards  Logris>  and  of  other 
adventures  which  he  saw  in  the  way. 

THEN  King  Pelles  came  to  Sir  Launcelot  and  told  him 
tidings  of  his  brother,  whereof  he  was  sorry,  that  he  wist 
not  what  to  do.  So  Sir  Launcelot  departed,  and  took  his 
arms,  and  said  he  would  go  see  the  realm  of  Logris, 
which  I  have  not  seen  in  twelve  months.  And  there- 
with he  commended  the  king  to  God,  and  so  rode  through 
many  realms.  And  at  the  last  he  came  to  a  white  abbey, 
and  there  they  made  him  that  night  great  cheer  ;  and  on 


CH.  XVHI     OF  GALAHAD  AND  MORDRAINS  34I 

the  morn  he  rose  and  heard  mass.  And  afore  an  altar 
he  found  a  rich  tomb,  which  was  newly  made  ;  and  then 
he  took  heed,  and  saw  the  sides  written  with  gold  which 
said  :  Here  lieth  King  Bagdemagus  of  Gore,  which  King 
Arthur's  nephew  slew ;  and  named  him,  Sir  Gawaine. 
Then  was  not  he  a  little  sorry,  for  Launcelot  loved  him 
much  more  than  any  other,  and  had  it  been  any  other 
than  Gawaine  he  should  not  have  escaped  from  death  to 
life  ;  and  said  to  himself :  Ah  Lord  God,  this  is  a  great 
hurt  unto  King  Arthur's  court,  the  loss  of  such  a  man. 
And  then  he  departed  and  came  to  the  abbey  where 
Galahad  did  the  adventure  of  the  tombs,  and  won  the 
white  shield  with  the  red  cross  ;  and  there  had  he  great 
cheer  all  that  night. 

And  on  the  morn  he  turned  unto  Camelot,  where  he 
found  King  Arthur  and  the  queen.  But  many  of  the 
knights  of  the  Round  Table  were  slain  and  destroyed, 
more  than  half.  And  so  three  were  come  home,  Ector, 
Gawaine,  and  Lionel,  and  many  other  that  need  not  to 
be  rehearsed.  And  all  the  court  was  passing  glad  of  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  the  king  asked  him  many  tidings  of  his 
son  Galahad.  And  there  Launcelot  told  the  king  of  his 
adventures  that  had  befallen  him  since  he  departed.  And 
also  he  told  him  of  the  adventures  of  Galahad,  Percivale, 
and  Bors,  which  that  he  knew  by  the  letter  of  the  dead 
damosel,  and  as  Galahad  had  told  him.  Now  God  would, 
said  the  king,  that  they  were  all  three  here.  That  shall 
never  be,  said  Launcelot,  for  two  of  them  shall  ye  never 
see,  but  one  of  them  shall  come  again. 

Now  leave  we  this  story  and  speak  of  Galahad. 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

Plow  Galahad  came  to  King  Mor 'drains,  and  of  other  matters 
and  adventures. 

Now,   saith  the   story,  Galahad  rode   many  journeys  in 
vain.     And  at  the  last  he  came  to  the  abbey  where  King 


342  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

Mordrains  was,  and  when  he  heard  that,  he  thought  he 
would  abide  to  see  him.  And  upon  the  morn,  when  he 
had  heard  mass,  Galahad  came  unto  King  Mordrains,  and 
anon  the  king  saw  him,  which  had  lain  blind  of  long  time. 
And  then  he  dressed  him  against  him,  and  said  :  Galahad, 
the  servant  of  Jesu  Christ,  whose  coming  I  have  abiden 
so  long,  now  embrace  me  and  let  me  rest  on  thy  breast, 
so  that  I  may  rest  between  thine  arms,  for  thou  art  a 
clean  virgin  above  all  knights,  as  the  flower  of  the  lily  in 
whom  virginity  is  signified,  and  thou  art  the  rose  the 
which  is  the  flower  of  all  good  virtues,  and  in  colour  of 
fire.  For  the  fire  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  taken  so  in  thee 
that  my  flesh  which  was  all  dead  of  oldness  is  become  young 
again.  Then  Galahad  heard  his  words,  then  he  embraced 
him  and  all  his  body.  Then  said  he  :  Fair  Lord  Jesu 
Christ,  now  I  have  my  will.  Now  I  require  thee,  in  this 
point  that  I  am  in,  thou  come  and  visit  me.  And  anon 
Our  Lord  heard  his  prayer  :  therewith  the  soul  departed 
from  the  body. 

And  then  Galahad  put  him  in  the  earth  as  a  king 
ought  to  be,  and  so  departed  and  so  came  into  a  perilous 
forest  where  he  found  the  well  the  which  boileth  with 
great  waves,  as  the  tale  telleth  to-fore.  And  as  soon  as 
Galahad  set  his  hand  thereto  it  ceased,  so  that  it  brent  no 
more,  and  the  heat  departed.  For  that  it  brent  it  was  a 
sign  of  lechery,  the  which  was  that  time  much  used.  But 
that  heat  might  not  abide  his  pure  virginity.  And  this 
was  taken  in  the  country  for  a  miracle.  And  so  ever 
after  was  it  called  Galahad's  well. 

Then  by  adventure  he  came  into  the  country  of  Gore, 
and  into  the  abbey  where  Launcelot  had  been  to-forehand, 
and  found  the  tomb  of  King  Bagdemagus,  but  he  was 
founder  thereof,  Joseph  of  Aramathie's  son  ;  and  the  tomb 
of  Simeon  where  Launcelot  had  failed.  Then  he  looked  into 
a  croft  under  the  minster,  and  there  he  saw  a  tomb  which 
brent  full  marvellously.  Then  asked  he  the  brethren  what 
it  was.  Sir,  said  they,  a  marvellous  adventure  that  may 
not  be  brought  unto  none  end  but  by  him  that  passeth 
of  bounty  and  of  knighthood  all  them  of  the  Round 


CH.  xix   OF  PERCIVALE,  BORS,  AND  GALAHAD   343 

Table.  I  would,  said  Galahad,  that  ye  would  lead  me 
thereto.  Gladly,  said  they,  and  so  led  him  till  a  cave. 
And  he  went  down  upon  greses,  and  came  nigh  the 
tomb.  And  then  the  flaming  failed,  and  the  fire  staunched, 
the  which  many  a  day  had  been  great.  Then  came  there 
a  voice  that  said  :  Much  are  ye  beholden  to  thank  Our 
Lord,  the  which  hath  given  you  a  good  hour,  that  ye  may 
draw  out  the  souls  of  earthly  pain,  and  to  put  them  into 
the  joys  of  paradise.  I  am  of  your  kindred,  the  which  hath 
dwelled  in  this  heat  this  three  hundred  winter  and  four- 
and-fifty  to  be  purged  of  the  sin  that  I  did  against  Joseph  of 
Aramathie.  Then  Galahad  took  the  body  in  his  arms  and 
bare  it  into  the  minster.  And  that  night  lay  Galahad  in 
the  abbey  ;  and  on  the  morn  he  gave  him  service,  and  put 
him  in  the  earth  afore  the  high  altar. 


CHAPTER   XIX 

How  Sir  Percivak  and  Sir  Bors  met  with  Sir  Galahad, 
and  how  they  came  to  the  castle  of  Carbonek,  and  other 
matters. 

So  departed  he  from  thence,  and  commended  the  brethren 
to  God  ;  and  so  he  rode  five  days  till  that  he  came  to  the 
Maimed  King.  And  ever  followed  Percivale  the  five  days, 
asking  where  he  had  been  ;  and  so  one  told  him  how  the 
adventures  of  Logris  were  enchieved.  So  on  a  day  it  befell 
that  they  came  out  of  a  great  forest,  and  there  they  met  at 
traverse  with  Sir  Bors,  the  which  rode  alone.  It  is  none 
need  to  tell  if  they  were  glad  ;  and  them  he  saluted,  and 
they  yielded  him  honour  and  good  adventure,  and  everych 
told  other.  Then  said  Bors  :  It  is  mo  than  a  year  and 
an  half  that  I  ne  lay  ten  times  where  men  dwelled,  but  in 
wild  forests  and  in  mountains,  but  God  was  ever  my 
comfort. 

Then  rode  they  a  great  while  till  that  they  came  to  the 
castle  of  Carbonek.     And  when  they  were  entered  within 


344  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvu 

the  castle  King  Pelles  knew  them  ;  then  there  was  great 
joy,  for  they  wist  well  by  their  coming  that  they  had 
fulfilled  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal.  Then  Eliazar,  King 
Pelles'  son,  brought  to -fore  them  the  broken  sword 
wherewith  Joseph  was  stricken  through  the  thigh.  Then 
Bors  set  his  hand  thereto,  if  that  he  might  have  soldered 
it  again  ;  but  it  would  not  be.  Then  he  took  it  to  Perci- 
vale,  but  he  had  no  more  power  thereto  than  he.  Now 
have  ye  it  again,  said  Percivale  to  Galahad,  for  an  it  be  ever 
enchieved  by  any  bodily  man  ye  must  do  it.  And  then  he 
took  the  pieces  and  set  them  together,  and  they  seemed 
that  they  had  never  been  broken,  and  as  well  as  it  had 
been  first  forged.  And  when  they  within  espied  that  the 
adventure  of  the  sword  was  enchieved,  then  they  gave  the 
sword  to  Bors,  for  it  might  not  be  better  set ;  for  he  was 
a  good  knight  and  a  worthy  man. 

And  a  little  afore  even  the  sword  arose  great  and 
marvellous,  and  was  full  of  great  heat  that  many  men  fell 
for  dread.  And  anon  alighted  a  voice  among  them,  and 
said  :  They  that  ought  not  to  sit  at  the  table  of  Jesu 
Christ  arise,  for  now  shall  very  knights  be  fed.  So  they 
went  thence,  all  save  King  Pelles  and  Eliazar,  his  son,  the 
which  were  holy  men,  and  a  maid  which  was  his  niece  ; 
and  so  these  three  fellows  and  they  three  were  there,  no 
mo.  Anon  they  saw  knights  all  armed  came  in  at  the 
hall  door,  and  did  off  their  helms  and  their  arms,  and  said 
unto  Galahad  :  Sir,  we  have  hied  right  much  for  to  be 
with  you  at  this  table  where  the  holy  meat  shall  be 
departed.  Then  said  he  :  Ye  be  welcome,  but  of  whence 
be  ye  ?  So  three  of  them  said  they  were  of  Gaul,  and 
other  three  said  they  were  of  Ireland,  and  the  other  three 
said  they  were  of  Denmark.  So  as  they  sat  thus  there 
came  out  a  bed  of  tree,  of  a  chamber,  the  which  four 
gentlewomen  brought ;  and  in  the  bed  lay  a  good  man 
sick,  and  a  crown  of  gold  upon  his  head  ;  and  there  in  the 
midst  of  the  place  they  set  him  down,  and  went  again 
their  way.  Then  he  lift  up  his  head,  and  said  :  Galahad, 
Knight,  ye  be  welcome,  for  much  have  I  desired  your 
coming,  for  in  such  pain  and  in  such  anguish  I  have  been 


pq 


CH.  xx      OF  GALAHAD  AND  HIS  FELLOWS          345 

long.  But  now  I  trust  to  God  the  term  is  come  that  my 
pain  shall  be  allayed,  that  I  shall  pass  out  of  this  world  so 
as  it  was  promised  me  long  ago.  Therewith  a  voice  said  : 
There  be  two  among  you  that  be  not  in  the  quest  of  the 
Sangreal,  and  therefore  depart  ye. 


CHAPTER   XX 

How  Galahad  and  his  fellows  were  fed  of  the  Holy  Sangreal^ 
and  how  Our  Lord  appeared  to  them,  and  other  things. 

THEN  King  Pelles  and  his  son  departed.  And  therewithal 
beseemed  them  that  there  came  a  man,  and  four  angels 
from  heaven,  clothed  in  likeness  of  a  bishop,  and  had  a 
cross  in  his  hand  ;  and  these  four  angels  bare  him  up  in  a 
chair,  and  set  him  down  before  the  table  of  silver  where- 
upon the  Sangreal  was ;  and  it  seemed  that  he  had  in 
midst  of  his  forehead  letters  the  which  said  :  See  ye  here 
Joseph,  the  first  bishop  of  Christendom,  the  same  which  Our 
Lord  succoured  in  the  city  of  Sarras  in  the  spiritual  place. 
Then  the  knights  marvelled,  for  that  bishop  was  dead 
more  than  three  hundred  year  to-fore.  O  knights,  said 
he,  marvel  not,  for  I  was  sometime  an  earthly  man. 
With  that  they  heard  the  chamber  door  open,  and  there 
they  saw  angels ;  and  two  bare  candles  of  wax,  and  the 
third  a  towel,  and  the  fourth  a  spear  which  bled  mar- 
vellously, that  three  drops  fell  within  a  box  which  he  held 
with  his  other  hand.  Ajid  they  set  the  candles  upon  the 
table,  and  the  third  the  towel  upon  the  vessel,  and  the 
fourth  the  holy  spear  even  upright  upon  the  vessel.  And 
then  the  bishop  made  semblaunt  as  though  he  would  have 
gone  to  the  sacring  of  the  mass.  And  then  he  took  an 
ubblie  which  was  made  in  likeness  of  bread.  And  at  the 
lifting  up  there  came  a  figure  in  likeness  ot  a  child,  and 
the  visage  was  as  red  and  as  bright  as  any  fire,  and  smote 
himself  into  the  bread,  so  that  they  all  saw  it  that  the 
bread  was  formed  of  a  fleshly  man  ;  and  then  he  put  it 


346  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

into  the  Holy  Vessel  again,  and  then  he  did  that  longed 
to  a  priest  to  do  to  a  mass.  And  then  he  went  to  Galahad 
and  kissed  him,  and  bade  him  go  and  kiss  his  fellows  :  and 
so  he  did  anon.  Now,  said  he,  servants  of  Jesu  Christ, 
ye  shall  be  fed  afore  this  table  with  sweet  meats  that  never 
knights  tasted.  And  when  he  had  said,  he  vanished  away. 
And  they  set  them  at  the  table  in  great  dread,  and  made 
their  prayers. 

Then  looked  they  and  saw  a  man  come  out  of  the 
Holy  Vessel,  that  had  all  the  signs  of  the  passion  of  Jesu 
Christ,  bleeding  all  openly,  and  said  :  My  knights,  and 
my  servants,  and  my  true  children,  which  be  come  out_of 
deadly  life  into  spiritual  life,  I  will  now  no  longer  fifde  me 
from  you,  but  ye  shall  see  now  a  part  of  my  secrets  and  of 
my  hidden  things:  now  hold  and  receive  the  high  meat  which 
ye  have  so  much  desired.  Then  took  he  himself  the  Holy 
Vessel  and  came  to  Galahad  ;  and  he  kneeled  down,  and 
there  he  received  his  Saviour,  and  after  him  so  received  all 
his  fellows ;  and  they  thought  it  so  sweet  that  it  was 
marvellous  to  tell.  Then  said  he  to  Galahad :  Son, 
wottest  thou  what  I  hold  betwixt  my  hands  ?  Nay,  said 
he,  but  if  ye  will  tell  me.  This  is,  said  he,  the  holy  dish 
wherein  I  ate  the  lamb  on  Sheer-Thursday.  And  now  hast 
thou  seen  that  thou  most  desired  to  see,  but  yet  hast  thou 
not  seen  it  so  openly  as  thou  shalt  see  it  in  the  city  of 
Sarras  in  the  spiritual  place.  Therefore  thou  must  go 
hence  and  bear  with  thee  this  Holy  Vessel ;  for  this  night 
it  shall  depart  from  the  realm  of  Logris,  that  it  shall  never 
be  seen  more  here.  And  wottest  thou  wherefore  ?  For 
he  is  not  served  nor  worshipped  to  his  right  by  them  of 
this  land,  for  they  be  turned  to  evil  living  ;  therefore  I 
shall  disherit  them  of  the  honour  which  I  have  done  them. 
And  therefore  go  ye  three  to-morrow  unto  the  sea,  where 
ye  shall  find  your  ship  ready,  and  with  you  take  the  sword 
with  the  strange  girdles,  and  no  more  with  you  but  Sir 
Percivale  and  Sir  Bors.  Also  I  will  that  ye  take  with  you 
of  the  blood  of  this  spear  for  to  anoint  the  Maimed  King, 
both  his  legs  and  all  his  body,  and  he  shall  have  his  health. 
Sir,  said  Galahad,  why  shall  not  these  other  fellows  go  with 


CH.XXI       GALAHAD  ANOINTS  THE  KING  347 

us  ?  For  this  cause  :  for  right  as  I  departed  my  apostles 
one  here  and  another  there,  so  I  will  that  ye  depart ;  and 
two  of  you  shall  die  in  my  service,  but  one  of  you  shall 
come  again  and  tell  tidings.  Then  gave  he  them  his 
blessing  and  vanished  away. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

How  Galahad  anointed  with  the  blood  of  the  spear  the 
Maimed  King,  and  of  other  adventures. 

AND  Galahad  went  anon  to  the  spear  which  lay  upon  the 
table,  and  touched  the  blood  with  his  fingers,  and  came 
after  to  the  Maimed  King  and  anointed  his  legs.  And 
therewith  he  clothed  him  anon,  and  start  upon  his  feet  out 
of  his  bed  as  an  whole  man,  and  thanked  Our  Lord  that 
He  had  healed  him.  And  that  was  not  to  the  world- 
ward,  for  anon  he  yielded  him  to  a  place  of  religion  of 
white  monks,  and  was  a  full  holy  man.  That  same  night 
about  midnight  came  a  voice  among  them  which  said  : 
My  sons  and  not  my  chief  sons,  my  friends  and  not  my 
warriors,  go  ye  hence  where  ye  hope  best  to  do  and  as  I 
bade  you.  Ah,  thanked  be  Thou,  Lord,  that  Thou  wilt 
vouchsafe  to  call  us,  Thy  sinners.  Now  may  we  well 
prove  that  we  have  not  lost  our  pains.  And  anon  in 
all  haste  they  took  their  harness  and  departed.  But  the 
three  knights  of  Gaul,  one  of  them  hight  Claudine,  King 
Claudas'  son,  and  the  other  two  were  great  gentlemen. 
Then  prayed  Galahad  to  everych  of  them,  that  if  they 
come  to  King  Arthur's  court  that  they  should  salute  my 
lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  my  father,  and  all  the  fellowship *  of 
the  Round  Table  ;  and  prayed  them  if  that  they  came  on 
that  part  that  they  should  not  forget  it. 

Right  so  departed  Galahad,  Percivale  and  Bors  with 
him  ;  and  so  they  rode  three  days,  and  then  they  came  to 
a  rivage,  and  found  the  ship  whereof  the  tale  speaketh  of 

1  So  W.  de  Worde  ;  Caxton  "  of  them." 


348  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

to-fore.  And  when  they  came  to  the  board  they  found  in 
the  midst  the  table  of  silver  which  they  had  left  with  the 
Maimed  King,  and  the  Sangreal  which  was  covered  with 
red  samite.  Then  were  they  glad  to  have  such  things  in 
their  fellowship  ;  and  so  they  entered  and  made  great 
reverence  thereto  ;  and  Galahad  fell  in  his  prayer  long  time 
to  Our  Lord,  that  at  what  time  he  asked,  that  he  should 
pass  out  of  this  world.  So  much  he  prayed  till  a  voice 
said  to  him  :  Galahad,  thou  shalt  have  thy  request ;  and 
when  thou  askest  the  death  of  thy  body  thou  shalt  have  it, 
and  then  shalt  thou  find  the  life  of  the  soul.  Percivale 
heard  this,  and  prayed  him,  of  fellowship  that  was  between 
them,  to  tell  him  wherefore  he  asked  such  things.  That 
shall  I  tell  you,  said  Galahad  ;  the  other  day  when  we  saw 
a  part  of  the  adventures  of  the  Sangreal  I  was  in  such  a  joy 
of  heart,  that  I  trow  never  man  was  that  was  earthly.  And 
therefore  I  wot  well,  when  my  body  is  dead  my  soul  shall 
be  in  great  joy  to  see  the  blessed  Trinity  every  day,  and 
the  majesty  of  Our  Lord,  Jesu  Christ. 

So  long  were  they  in  the  ship  that  they  said  to  Galahad: 
Sir,  in  this  bed  ought  ye  to  lie,  for  so  saith  the  scripture. 
And  so  he  laid  him  down  and  slept  a  great  while  ;  and 
when  he  awaked  he  looked  afore  him  and  saw  the  city  of 
Sarras.  And  as  they  would  have  landed  they  saw  the  ship 
wherein  Percivale  had  put  his  sister  in.  Truly,  said  Perci- 
vale, in  the  name  of  God,  well  hath  my  sister  holden  us 
covenant.  Then  took  they  out  of  the  ship  the  table  of 
silver,  and  he  took  it  to  Percivale  and  to  Bors,  to  go  to-fore, 
and  Galahad  came  behind.  And  right  so  they  went  to  the 
city,  and  at  the  gate  of  the  city  they  saw  an  old  man 
crooked.  Then  Galahad  called  him  and  bade  him  help  to 
bear  this  heavy  thing.  Truly,  said  the  old  man,  it  is  ten 
year  ago  that  I  might  not  go  but  with  crutches.  Care  thou 
not,  said  Galahad,  and  arise  up  and  shew  thy  good  will. 
And  so  he  assayed,  and  found  himself  as  whole  as  ever  he 
was.  Than  ran  he  to  the  table,  and  took  one  part  against 
Galahad.  And  anon  arose  there  great  noise  in  the  city, 
that  a  cripple  was  made  whole  by  knights  marvellous  that 
entered  into  the  city. 


CH.  xxn     HOW  GALAHAD  WAS  MADE  KING        349 

Then  anon  after,  the  three  knights  went  to  the  water, 
and  brought  up  into  the  palace  Percivale's  sister,  and  buried 
her  as  richly  as  a  king's  daughter  ought  to  be.  And  when 
the  king  of  the  city,  which  was  cleped  Estorause,  saw  the 
fellowship,  he  asked  them  of  whence  they  were,  and  what 
thing  it  was  that  they  had  brought  upon  the  table  of  silver. 
And  they  told  him  the  truth  of  the  Sangreal,  and  the  power 
which  that  God  had  sent  there.  Then  the  king  was  a 
tyrant,  and  was  come  of  the  line  of  paynims,  and  took  them 
and  put  them  in  prison  in  a  deep  hole. 


CHAPTER   XXII 

How  they  were  fed  with  the  Sangreal  while  they  were  in 
prison,  and  how  Galahad  was  made  king. 

BUT  as  soon  as  they  were  there  Our  Lord  sent  them  the 
Sangreal,  through  whose  grace  they  were  always  fulfilled 
while  that  they  were  in  prison.  So  at  the  year's  end  it 
befell  that  this  King  Estorause  lay  sick,  and  felt  that  he 
should  die.  Then  he  sent  for  the  three  knights,  and  they 
came  afore  him  ;  and  he  cried  them  mercy  of  that  he  had 
done  to  them,  and  they  forgave  it  him  goodly ;  and  he  died 
anon.  When  the  king  was  dead  all  the  city  was  dismayed, 
and  wist  not  who  might  be  their  king.  Right  so  as  they 
were  in  counsel  there  came  a  voice  among  them,  and  bade 
them  choose  the  youngest  knight  of  them  three  to  be  their 
king  :  For  he  shall  well  maintain  you  and  all  yours.  So 
they  made  Galahad  king  by  all  the  assent  of  the  holy  city, 
and  else  they  would  have  slain  him.  And  when  he  was 
come  to  behold  the  land,  he  Jet  make  above  the  table  of 
silver  a  chest  of  gold  and  of  precious  stones,  that  hilled  the 
Holy  Vessel.  And  every  day  early  the  three  fellows 
would  come  afore  it,  and  make  their  prayers. 

Now  at  the  year's  end,  and  the  self  day  after  Galahad 
had  borne  the  crown  of  gold,  he  arose  up  early  and  his 
fellows,  and  came  to  the  palace,  and  saw  to-fore  them  the 


350  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

Holy  Vessel,  and  a  man  kneeling  on  his  knees  in  likeness 
of  a  bishop,  that  had  about  him  a  great  fellowship  of  angels, 
as  it  had  been  Jesu  Christ  himself ;  and  then  he  arose  and 
began  a  mass  of  Our  Lady.  And  when  he  came  to  the 
sacrament  of  the  mass,  and  had  done,  anon  he  called  Gala- 
had, and  said  to  him  :  Come  forth  the  servant  of  Jesu 
Christ,  and  thou  shalt  see  that  thou  hast  much  desired  to 
see.  And  then  he  began  to  tremble  right  hard  when  the 
deadly  flesh  began  to  behold  the  spiritual  things.  Then  he 
held  up  his  hands  toward  heaven  and  said :  Lord,  I  thank 
thee,  for  now  I  see  that  that  hath  been  my  desire  many  a 
day.  Now,  blessed  Lord,  would  I  not  longer  live,  if  it 
might  please  thee,  Lord.  And  therewith  the  good  man 
took  Our  Lord's  body  betwixt  his  hands,  and  proffered  it 
to  Galahad,  and  he  received  it  right  gladly  and  meekly. 
Now  wottest  thou  what  I  am  ?  said  the  good  man.  Nay, 
said  Galahad.  I  am  Joseph  of  Aramathie,  the  which  Our 
Lord  hath  sent  here  to  thee  to  bear  thee  fellowship  ;  and 
wottest  thou  wherefore  that  he  hath  sent  me  more  than  any 
other  ?  For  thou  hast  resembled  me  in  two  things  ;  in 
that  thou  hast  seen  the  marvels  of  the  Sangreal,  in  that 
thou  hast  been  a  clean  maiden,  as  I  have  been  and  am. 

And  when  he  had  said  these  words  Galahad  went 
to  Percivale  and  kissed  him,  and  commended  him 
to  God  ;  and  so  he  went  to  Sir  Bors  and  kissed  him, 
and  commended  him  to  God,  and  said :  Fair  lord, 
salute  me  to  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  my  father,  and 
as  soon  as  ye  see  him,  bid  him  remember  of  this 
unstable  world.  And  therewith  he  kneeled  down  to-fore 
the  table  and  made  his  prayers,  and  then  suddenly  his 
soul  departed  to  Jesu  Christ,  and  a  great  multitude  of 
angels  bare  his  soul  up  to  heaven,  that  the  two  fellows 
might  well  behold  it.  Also  the  two  fellows  saw  come  from 
heaven  an  hand,  but  they  saw  not  the  body.  And  then  it 
came  right  to  the  Vessel,  and  took  it  and  the  spear,  and  so 
bare  it  up  to  heaven.  Si  then  was  there  never  man  so  hardy 
to  say  that  he  had  seen  the  Sangreal. 


CH.  xxm    OF  THE  SORROW  FOR  GALAHAD          351 


CHAPTER   XXIII 

Of  the  sorrow  that  Percivale  and  Bors  made  when  Galahad 
was  dead :  and  of  Percivale  how  he  died,  and  other 
matters. 

WHEN  Percivale  and  Bors  saw  Galahad  dead  they  made 
as  much  sorrow  as  ever  did  two  men.  And  if  they  had 
not  been  good  men  they  might  lightly  have  fallen  in 
despair.  And  the  people  of  the  country  and  of  the  city 
were  right  heavy.  And  then  he  was  buried  ;  and  as  soon 
as  he  was  buried  Sir  Percivale  yielded  him  to  an  hermitage 
out  of  the  city,  and  took  a  religious  clothing.  And  Bors 
was  alway  with  him,  but  never  changed  he  his  secular 
clothing,  for  that  he  purposed  him  to  go  again  into  the 
realm  of  Logris.  Thus  a  year  and  two  months  lived  Sir 
Percivale  in  the  hermitage  a  full  holy  life,  and  then  passed 
out  of  this  world  ;  and  Bors  let  bury  him  by  his  sister  and 
by  Galahad  in  the  spiritualities. 

When  Bors  saw  that  he  was  in  so  far  countries  as  in  the 
parts  of  Babylon  he  departed  from  Sarras,  and  armed  him 
and  came  to  the  sea,  and  entered  into  a  ship  ;  and  so  it 
befell  him  in  good  adventure  he  came  into  the  realm  of 
Logris  ;  and  he  rode  so  fast  till  he  came  to  Camelot  where 
the  king  was.  And  then  was  there  great  joy  made  of  him 
in  the  court,  for  they  weened  all  he  had  been  dead,  foras- 
much as  he  had  been  so  long  out  of  the  country.  And 
when  they  had  eaten,  the  king  made  great  clerks  to  come 
afore  him,  that  they  should  chronicle  of  the  high  adven- 
tures of  the  good  knights.  When  Bors  had  told  him  of 
the  adventures  of  the  Sangreal,  such  as  had  befallen  him 
and  his  three  fellows,  that  was  Launcelot,  Percivale,  Gala- 
had, and  himself,  there  Launcelot  told  the  adventures  of 
the  Sangreal  that  he  had  seen.  All  this  was  made  in  great 
books,  and  put  up  in  almeries  at  Salisbury.  And  anon  Sir 
Bors  said  to  Sir  Launcelot :  Galahad,  your  own  son, 
saluted  you  by  me,  and  after  you  King  Arthur  and  all  the 


352  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvn 

court,  and  so  did  Sir  Percivale,  for  I  buried  them  with 
mine  own  hands  in  the  city  of  Sarras.  Also,  Sir  Launcelot, 
Galahad  prayed  you  to  remember  of  this  unsiker  world  as 
ye  behight  him  when  ye  were  together  more  than  half  a 
year.  This  is  true,  said  Launcelot  ;  now  I  trust  to  God 
his  prayer  shall  avail  me. 

Then  Launcelot  took  Sir  Bors  in  his  arms,  and  said  : 
Gentle  cousin,  ye  are  right  welcome  to  me,  and  all  that 
ever  I  may  do  for  you  and  for  yours  ye  shall  find  my  poor 
body  ready  at  all  times,  while  the  spirit  is  in  it,  and  that  I 
promise  you  faithfully,  and  never  to  fail.  And  wit  ye  well, 
gentle  cousin,  Sir  Bors,  that  ye  and  I  will  never  depart 
asunder  whilst  our  lives  may  last.  Sir,  said  he,  I  will  as 
ye  will. 

EJjus  entietfj  tfje  fjistorg  of  tfje  Sangreal,  tfjat  foas  tirteflg 
orafon  out  of  jfrencfj  into  (Enslisfj,  tfje  fofjicfj  is  a 
storji  efjronicleo  for  one  of  tfje  truest  ano  tfje  fjoliest 
tijat  is  in  tjjts  foorlo,  tfje  fojjtcfj  is  tjje  xoii,  6oofc, 


jjere  follofoetfj  tjje  eijafjteentjj  fioolu 


BOOK    XVIII 

CHAPTER   I 

Of  the  joy  King  Arthur  and  the  queen  had  of  the  achieve-  ' 
ment  of  the  Sangreal ;  and  how  Launcelot  fell  to  his  old 
love  again. 

So  after  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal  was  fulfilled,  and  all 
knights  that  were  left  alive  were  come  again  unto  the 
Table  Round,  as  the  book  of  the  Sangreal  maketh 
mention,  then  was  there  great  joy  in  the  court;  and  in 
especial  King  Arthur  and  Queen  Guenever  made  great 
joy  of  the  remnant  that  were  come  home,  and  passing 
glad  was  the  king  and  the  queen  of  Sir  Launcelot  and  of 
Sir  Bors,  for  they  had  been  passing  long  away  in  the 
quest  of  the  Sangreal. 

Then,  as  the  book  saith,  Sir  Launcelot  began  to  resort 
unto  Queen  Guenever  again,  and  forgat  the  promise  and 
the  perfection  that  he  made  in  the  quest.  For,  as  the 
book  saith,  had  not  Sir  Launcelot  been  in  his  privy 
thoughts  and  in  his  mind  so  set  inwardly  to  the  queen 
as  he  was  in  seeming  outward  to  God,  there  had  no 
knight  passed  him  in  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal ;  but 
ever  his  thoughts  were  privily  on  the  queen,  and  so 
they  loved  together  more  hotter  than  they  did  to-forehand, 
and  had  such  privy  draughts  together,  that  many  in  the 
court  spake  of  it,  and  in  especial  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir 
Gawaine's  brother,  for  he  was  ever  open-mouthed. 

So  befell  that  Sir  Launcelot  had  many  resorts  of  ladies 
and  damosels  that  daily  resorted  unto  him,  that  besought 

VOL.  II  2  A 


354  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

him  to  be  their  champion,  and  in  all  such  matters  of  right 
Sir  Launcelot  applied  him  daily  to  do  for  the  pleasure  of 
Our  Lord,  Jesu  Christ.  And  ever  as  much  as  he  might 
he  withdrew  him  from  the  company  and  fellowship  of 
Queen  Guenever,  for  to  eschew  the  slander  and  noise  ; 
wherefore  the  queen  waxed  wroth  with  Sir  Launcelot. 
And  upon  a  day  she  called  Sir  Launcelot  unto  her  chamber, 
and  said  thus  :  Sir  Launcelot,  I  see  and  feel  daily  that  thy 
love  beginneth  to  slake,  for  thou  hast  no  joy  to  be  in  my 
presence,  but  ever  thou  art  out  of  this  court,  and  quarrels 
and  matters  thou  hast  nowadays  for  ladies  and  gentle- 
women more  than  ever  thou  wert  wont  to  have  aforehand. 
Ah  madam,  said  Launcelot,  in  this  ye  must  hold  me 
excused  for  divers  causes ;  one  is,  I  was  but  late  in  the 
quest  of  the  Sangreal ;  and  I  thank  God  of  his  great 
mercy,  and  never  of  my  desert,  that  I  saw  in  that  my 
quest  as  much  as  ever  saw  any  sinful  man,  and  so  was  it 
told  me.  And  if  I  had  not  had  my  privy  thoughts  to 
return  to  your  love  again  as  I  do,  I  had  seen  as  great 
mysteries  as  ever  saw  my  son  Galahad,  outher  Percivale, 
or  Sir  Bors  ;  and  therefore,  madam,  I  was  but  late  in  that 
quest.  Wit  ye  well,  madam,  it  may  not  be  yet  lightly 
forgotten  the  high  service  in  whom  I  did  my  diligent 
labour.  Also,  madam,  wit  ye  well  that  there  be  many 
men  speak  of  our  love  in  this  court,  and  have  you  and  me 
greatly  in  await,  as  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred ;  and 
madam,  wit  ye  well  I  dread  them  more  for  your  sake  than 
for  any  fear  I  have  of  them  myself,  for  I  may  happen  to 
escape  and  rid  myself  in  a  great  need,  where  ye  must 
abide  all  that  will  be  said  unto  you.  And  then  if  that  ye 
fall  in  any  distress  through  wilful  folly,  then  is  there  none 
other  remedy  or  help  but  by  me  and  my  blood.  And  wit 
ye  well,  madam,  the  boldness  of  you  and  me  will  bring  us 
to  great  shame  and  slander  ;  and  that  were  me  loath  to  see 
you  dishonoured.  And  that  is  the  cause  I  take  upon  me 
more  for  to  do  for  damosels  and  maidens  than  ever  I  did 
to-fore,  that  men  should  understand  my  joy  and  my  de- 
light is  my  pleasure  to  have  ado  for  damosels  and  maidens. 


CHAP,  ii  OF  THE  QUEEN  AND  LAUNCELOT       355 


CHAPTER    II 

How  the  queen  commanded  Sir  Launcelot  to  avoid  the  court, 
and  of  the  sorrow  that  Launcelot  made. 

ALL  this  while  the  queen  stood  still  and  let  Sir  Launcelot 
say  what  he  would.  And  when  he  had  all  said  she  brast 
out  a-weeping,  and  so  she  sobbed  and  wept  a  great  while. 
And  when  she  might  speak  she  said  :  Launcelot,  now  I 
well  understand  that  thou  art  a  false  recreant  knight  and 
a  common  lecher,  and  lovest  and  holdest  other  ladies,  and 
by  me  thou  hast  disdain  and  scorn.  For  wit  thou  well, 
she  said,  now  I  understand  thy  falsehood,  and  therefore 
shall  I  never  love  thee  no  more.  And  never  be  thou  so 
hardy  to  come  in  my  sight ;  and  right  here  I  discharge 
thee  this  court,  that  thou  never  come  within  it ;  and  I 
forfend  thee  my  fellowship,  and  upon  pain  of  thy  head 
that  thou  see  me  no  more.  Right  so  Sir  Launcelot  de- 
parted with  great  heaviness,  that  unnethe  he  might  sustain 
himself  for  great  dole-making. 

Then  he  called  Sir  Bors,  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  and  Sir 
Lionel,  and  told  them  how  the  queen  had  forfended  him 
the  court,  and  so  he  was  in  will  to  depart  into  his  own 
country.  Fair  sir,  said  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  ye  shall  not 
depart  out  of  this  land  by  mine  advice.  Ye  must  re- 
member in  what  honour  ye  are  renowned,  and  called  the 
noblest  knight  of  the  world  ;  and  many  great  matters  ye 
have  in  hand.  And  women  in  their  hastiness  will  do  oft- 
times  that  sore  repenteth  them  ;  and  therefore  by  mine 
advice  ye  shall  take  your  horse,  and  ride  to  the  good 
hermitage  here  beside  Windsor,  that  sometime  was  a  good 
knight,  his  name  is  Sir  Brasias,  and  there  shall  ye  abide 
till  I  send  you  word  of  better  tidings.  Brother,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  wit  ye  well  I  am  full  loath  to  depart  out  of 
this  realm,  but  the  queen  hath  defended  me  so  highly, 
that  meseemeth  she  will  never  be  my  good  lady  as  she 
hath  been.  Say  ye  never  so,  said  Sir  Bors,  for  many 


356  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

times  or  this  time  she  hath  been  wroth  with  you,  and 
after  it  she  was  the  first  that  repented  it.  Ye  say  well, 
said  Launcelot,  for  now  will  I  do  by  your  counsel,  and 
take  mine  horse  and  my  harness,  and  ride  to  the  hermit 
Sir  Brasias,  and  there  will  I  repose  me  until  I  hear  some 
manner  of  tidings  from  you  ;  but,  fair  brother,  I  pray 
you  get  me  the  love  of  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever,  an  ye 
may.  Sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  ye  need  not  to  move  me  of  such 
matters,  for  well  ye  wot  I  will  do  what  I  may  to  please 
you. 

And  then  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  departed 
with  right  heavy  cheer  suddenly,  that  none  earthly  creature 
wist  of  him,  nor  where  he  was  become,  but  Sir  Bors.  So 
when  Sir  Launcelot  was  departed,  the  queen  outward 
made  no  manner  of  sorrow  in  showing  to  none  of  his 
blood  nor  to  none  other.  But  wit  ye  well,  inwardly,  as 
the  book  saith,  she  took  great  thought,  but  she  bare  it 
out  with  a  proud  countenance  as  though  she  felt  nothing 
nor  danger. 


CHAPTER   III 

How  at  a  dinner  that  the  queen  made  there  was  a  knight 
enpoisoned,  which  Sir  Mador  laid  on  the  queen. 

AND  then  the  queen  let  make  a  privy  dinner  in  London 
unto  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  And  all  was  for 
to  show  outward  that  she  had  as  great  joy  in  all  other 
knights  of  the  Table  Round  as  she  had  in  Sir  Launcelot. 
All  only  at  that  dinner  she  had  Sir  Gawaine  and  his 
brethren,  that  is  for  to  say  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir  Gaheris,  Sir 
Gareth,  and  Sir  Mordred.  Also  there  was  Sir  Bors  de 
Ganis,  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis,  Sir  Bleoberis  de  Ganis,  Sir 
Galihud,  Sir  Galihodin,  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  Sir  Lionel, 
Sir  Palomides,  Safere  his  brother,  Sir  La  Cote  Male  Taile, 
Sir  Persant,  Sir  Ironside,  Sir  Brandiles,  Sir  Kay  le  Seneschal, 
Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte,  Sir  Patrise,  a  knight  of  Ireland, 
Aliduk,  Sir  Astamore,  and  Sir  Pinel  le  Savage,  the  which 


CH.  in   HOW  THE  QUEEN  MADE  A  DINNER       357 

was  cousin  to  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis,  the  good  knight  that 
Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren  slew  by  treason.  And  so 
these  four-and-twenty  knights  should  dine  with  the  queen 
in  a  privy  place  by  themself,  and  there  was  made  a  great 
feast  of  all  manner  of  dainties. 

But  Sir  Gawaine  had  a  custom  that  he  used  daily  at 
dinner  and  at  supper,  that  he  loved  well  all  manner  of 
fruit,  and  in  especial  apples  and  pears.  And  therefore 
whosomever  dined  or  feasted  Sir  Gawaine  would  commonly 
purvey  for  good  fruit  for  him,  and  so  did  the  queen  for 
to  please  Sir  Gawaine  ;  she  let  purvey  for  him  all  manner 
of  fruit,  for  Sir  Gawaine  was  a  passing  hot  knight  of 
nature.  And  this  Pinel  hated  Sir  Gawaine  because  of  his 
kinsman  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis  ;  and  therefore  for  pure 
envy  and  hate  Sir  Pinel  enpoisoned  certain  apples  for  to 
enpoison  Sir  Gawaine.  And  so  this  was  well  unto  the 
end  of  the  meat ;  and  so  it  befell  by  misfortune  a  good 
knight  named  Patrise,  cousin  unto  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte, 
to  take  a  poisoned  apple.  And  when  he  had  eaten  it  he 
swelled  so  till  he  brast,  and  there  Sir  Patrise  fell  down 
suddenly  dead  among  them. 

Then  every  knight  leapt  from  the  board  ashamed,  and 
araged  for  wrath,  nigh  out  of  their  wits.  For  they  wist 
not  what  to  say ;  considering  Queen  Guenever  made  the 
feast  and  dinner,  they  all  had  suspicion  unto  her.  My 
lady,  the  queen,  said  Gawaine,  wit  ye  well,  madam,  that 
this  dinner  was  made  for  me,  for  all  folks  that  know  my 
condition  understand  that  I  love  well  fruit,  and  now  I  see 
well  I  had  near  been  slain  ;  therefore,  madam,  I  dread  me 
lest  ye  will  be  shamed.  Then  the  queen  stood  still  and  was 
sore  abashed,  that  she  nist  not  what  to  say.  This  shall 
not  so  be  ended,  said  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte,  for  here 
have  I  lost  a  full  noble  knight  of  my  blood  ;  and  there- 
fore upon  this  shame  and  despite  I  will  be  revenged  to  the 
utterance.  And  there  openly  Sir  Mador  appealed  the 
queen  of  the  death  of  his  cousin,  Sir  Patrise.  Then  stood 
they  all  still,  that  none  would  speak  a  word  against  him, 
for  they  all  had  great  suspicion  unto  the  queen  because 
she  let  make  that  dinner.  And  the  queen  was  so  abashed 


358  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

that  she  could  none  other  ways  do,  but  wept  so  heartily 
that  she  fell  in  a  swoon.  With  this  noise  and  cry  came 
to  them  King  Arthur,  and  when  he  wist  of  that  trouble  he 
was  a  passing  heavy  man. 


CHAPTER   IV 

How  Sir  Mador  appeached  the  queen  of  treason,  and  there 
was  no  knight  would  fight  for  her  at  the  first  time. 

AND  ever  Sir  Mador  stood  still  afore  the  king,  and  ever 
he  appealed  the  queen  of  treason  ;  for  the  custom  was 
such  that  time  that  all  manner  of  shameful  death  was 
called  treason.  Fair  lords,  said  King  Arthur,  me  re- 
penteth  of  this  trouble,  but  the  case  is  so  I  may  not  have 
ado  in  this  matter,  for  I  must  be  a  rightful  judge  ;  and 
that  repenteth  me  that  I  may  not  do  battle  for  my  wife, 
for  as  I  deem  this  deed  came  never  by  her.  And  there- 
fore I  suppose  she  shall  not  be  all  distained,  but  that  some 
good  knight  shall  put  his  body  in  jeopardy  for  my  queen 
rather  than  she  shall  be  brent  in  a  wrong  quarrel.  And 
therefore,  Sir  Mador,  be  not  so  hasty,  for  it  may  happen 
she  shall  not  be  all  friendless ;  and  therefore  desire 
thou  thy  day  of  battle,  and  she  shall  purvey  her  of  some 
good  knight  that  shall  answer  you,  or  else  it  were  to  me 
great  shame,  and  to  all  my  court. 

My  gracious  lord,  said  Sir  Mador,  ye  must  hold  me 
excused,  for  though  ye  be  our  king  in  that  degree,  ye  are 
but  a  knight  as  we  are,  and  ye  are  sworn  unto  knighthood 
as  well  as  we  ;  and  therefore  I  beseech  you  that  ye  be  not 
displeased,  for  there  is  none  of  the  four-and-twenty  knights 
that  were  bidden  to  this  dinner  but  all  they  have  great 
suspicion  unto  the  queen.  What  say  ye  all,  my  lords? 
said  Sir  Mador.  Then  they  answered  by  and  by  that  they 
could  not  excuse  the  queen  ;  for  why  she  made  the  dinner, 
and  either  it  must  come  by  her  or  by  her  servants.  Alas, 
said  the  queen,  I  made  this  dinner  for  a  good  intent,  and 


CH.IV  THE  QUEEN  APPE  ACHED  OF  TREASON  359 

never  for  none  evil,  so  Almighty  God  me  help  in  my 
right,  as  I  was  never  purposed  to  do  such  evil  deeds,  and 
that  I  report  me  unto  God. 

My  lord,  the  king,  said  Sir  Mador,  I  require  you  as 
ye  be  a  righteous  king  give  me  a  day  that  I  may  have 
justice.  Well,  said  the  king,  I  give  the  day  this  day 
fifteen  days  that  thou  be  ready  armed  on  horseback  in  the 
meadow  beside  Westminster.  And  if  it  so  fall  that  there 
be  any  knight  to  encounter  with  you,  there  mayst  thou 
do  the  best,  and  God  speed  the  right.  And  if  it  so  fall 
that  there  be  no  knight  at  that  day,  then  must  my  queen 
be  burnt,  and  there  she  shall  be  ready  to  have  her  judg- 
ment. I  am  answered,  said  Sir  Mador.  And  every 
knight  went  where  it  liked  them. 

So  when  the  king  and  the  queen  were  together  the 
king  asked  the  queen  how  this  case  befell.  The  queen 
answered  :  So  God  me  help,  I  wot  not  how  or  in  what 
manner.  Where  is  Sir  Launcelot  ?  said  King  Arthur  ;  an 
he  were  here  he  would  not  grudge  to  do  battle  for  you. 
Sir,  said  the  queen,  I  wot  not  where  he  is,  but  his  brother 
and  his  kinsmen  deem  that  he  be  not  within  this  realm. 
That  me  repenteth,  said  King  Arthur,  for  an  he  were  here 
he  would  soon  stint  this  strife.  Then  I  will  counsel  you, 
said  the  king,  and  unto  Sir  Bors  :  That  ye  will  do  battle 
for  her  for  Sir  Launcelot's  sake,  and  upon  my  life  he  will 
not  refuse  you.  For  well  I  see,  said  the  king,  that  none 
of  these  four-and-twenty  knights  that  were  with  you  at 
your  dinner  where  Sir  Patrise  was  slain,  that  will  do  battle 
for  you,  nor  none  of  them  will  say  well  of  you,  and  that 
shall  be  a  great  slander  for  you  in  this  court.  Alas,  said 
the  queen,  and  I  may  not  do  withal,  but  now  I  miss  Sir 
Launcelot,  for  an  he  were  here  he  would  put  me  soon 
to  my  heart's  ease.  What  aileth  you,  said  the  king,  ye 
cannot  keep  Sir  Launcelot  upon  your  side  ?  For  wit  ye 
well,  said  the  king,  who  that  hath  Sir  Launcelot  upon  his 
part  hath  the  most  man  of  worship  in  the  world  upon  his 
side.  Now  go  your  way,  said  the  king  unto  the  queen, 
and  require  Sir  Bors  to  do  battle  for  you  for  Sir  Launce- 
lot's sake. 


360  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 


CHAPTER   V 

How  the  queen  required  Sir  Bors  to  fight  for  her,  and  how 
he  granted  upon  condition;  and  how  he  warned  Sir 
Launcelot  thereof. 

So  the  queen  departed  from  the  king,  and  sent  for  Sir 
Bors  into  her  chamber.  And  when  he  was  come  she 
besought  him  of  succour.  Madam,  said  he,  what  would 
ye  that  I  did  ?  for  I  may  not  with  my  worship  have  ado 
in  this  matter,  because  I  was  at  the  same  dinner,  for  dread 
that  any  of  those  knights  would  have  me  in  suspicion. 
Also,  madam,  said  Sir  Bors,  now  miss  ye  Sir  Launcelot, 
for  he  would  not  have  failed  you  neither  in  right  nor  in 
wrong,  as  ye  have  well  proved  when  ye  have  been  in 
danger  ;  and  now  ye  have  driven  him  out  of  this  country, 
by  whom  ye  and  all  we  were  daily  worshipped  by  ;  there- 
fore, madam,  I  marvel  how  ye  dare  for  shame  require 
me  to  do  any  thing  for  you,  in  so  much  ye  have  chased 
him  out  of  your  country  by  whom  we  were  borne  up  and 
honoured.  Alas,  fair  knight,  said  the  queen,  I  put  me 
wholly  in  your  grace,  and  all  that  is  done  amiss  I  will 
amend  as  ye  will  counsel  me.  And  therewith  she  kneeled 
down  upon  both  her  knees,  and  besought  Sir  Bors  to  have 
mercy  upon  her  :  Outher  I  shall  have  a  shameful  death, 
and  thereto  I  never  offended. 

Right  so  came  King  Arthur,  and  found  the  queen 
kneeling  afore  Sir  Bors  ;  then  Sir  Bors  pulled  her  up,  and 
said  :  Madam,  ye  do  me  great  dishonour.  Ah,  gentle 
knight,  said  the  king,  have  mercy  upon  my  queen,  cour- 
teous knight,  for  I  am  now  in  certain  she  is  untruly 
defamed.  And  therefore,  courteous  knight,  said  the  king, 
promise  her  to  do  battle  for  her,  I  require  you  for  the 
love  of  Sir  Launcelot.  My  lord,  said  Sir  Bors,  ye  require 
me  the  greatest  thing  that  any  man  may  require  me  ;  and 
wit  ye  well  if  I  grant  to  do  battle  for  the  queen  I  shall 
wrath  many  of  my  fellowship  of  the  Table  Round.  But 


CHAP,  v          THE  QUEEN  AND  SIR  BORS  361 

as  for  that,  said  Bors,  I  will  grant  my  lord  that  for  my 
lord  Sir  Launcelot's  sake,  and  for  your  sake  I  will  at  that 
day  be  the  queen's  champion  unless  that  there  come  by 
adventure  a  better  knight  than  I  am  to  do  battle  for  her. 
Will  ye  promise  me  this,  said  the  king,  by  your  faith  ? 
Yea  sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  of  that  I  will  not  fail  you,  nor  her 
both,  but  if  there  come  a  better  knight  than  I  am,  and 
then  shall  he  have  the  battle.  Then  was  the  king  and  the 
queen  passing  glad,  and  so  departed,  and  thanked  him 
heartily. 

So  then  Sir  Bors  departed  secretly  upon  a  day,  and 
rode  unto  Sir  Launcelot  thereas  he  was  with  the  hermit, 
Sir  Brasias,  and  told  him  of  all  their  adventure.  Ah  Jesu, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  this  is  come  happily  as  I  would  have 
it,  and  therefore  I  pray  you  make  you  ready  to  do  battle, 
but  look  that  ye  tarry  till  ye  see  me  come,  as  long  as  ye 
may.  For  I  am  sure  Mador  is  an  hot  knight  when  he  is 
enchafed,  for  the  more  ye  suffer  him  the  hastier  will  he 
be  to  battle.  Sir,  said  Bors,  let  me  deal  with  him,  doubt 
ye  not  ye  shall  have  all  your  will.  Then  departed  Sir 
Bors  from  him  and  came  to  the  court  again.  Then  was 
it  noised  in  all  the  court  that  Sir  Bors  should  do  battle 
for  the  queen  ;  wherefore  many  knights  were  displeased 
with  him,  that  he  would  take  upon  him  to  do  battle  in 
the  queen's  quarrel ;  for  there  were  but  few  knights  in 
all  the  court  but  they  deemed  the  queen  was  in  the 
wrong,  and  that  she  had  done  that  treason. 

So  Sir  Bors  answered  thus  to  his  fellows  of  the  Table 
Round  :  Wit  ye  well,  my  fair  lords,  it  were  shame  to  us 
all  an  we  suffered  to  see  the  most  noble  queen  of  the 
world  to  be  shamed  openly,  considering  her  lord  and  our 
lord  is  the  man  of  most  worship  in  the  world,  and  most 
christened,  and  he  hath  ever  worshipped  us  all  in  all 
places.  Many  answered  him  again  :  As  for  our  most 
noble  King  Arthur,  we  love  him  and  honour  him  as  well 
as  ye  do,  but  as  for  Queen  Guenever  we  love  her  not, 
because  she  is  a  destroyer  of  good  knights.  Fair  lords, 
said  Sir  Bors,  meseemeth  ye  say  not  as  ye  should  say,  for 
never  yet  in  my  days  knew  I  never  nor  heard  say  that 


362  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

ever  she  was  a  destroyer  of  any  good  knight.  But  at  all 
times  as  far  as  ever  I  could  know  she  was  a  maintainer  of 
good  knights  ;  and  ever  she  hath  been  large  and  free  of 
her  goods  to  all  good  knights,  and  the  most  bounteous 
lady  of  her  gifts  and  her  good  grace,  that  ever  I  saw  or 
heard  speak  of.  And  therefore  it  were  shame,  said  Sir 
Bors,  to  us  all  to  our  most  noble  king's  wife,  an  we 
suffered  her  to  be  shamefully  slain.  And  wit  ye  well, 
said  Sir  Bors,  I  will  not  suffer  it,  for  I  dare  say  so  much, 
the  queen  is  not  guilty  of  Sir  Patrise's  death,  for  she  owed 
him  never  none  ill  will,  nor  none  of  the  four-and-twenty 
knights  that  were  at  that  dinner  ;  for  I  dare  say  for  good 
love  she  bade  us  to  dinner,  and  not  for  no  mal  engine, 
and  that  I  doubt  not  shall  be  proved  hereafter,  for  how- 
somever  the  game  goeth,  there  was  treason  among  us. 
Then  some  said  to  Sir  Bors :  We  may  well  believe  your 
words.  And  so  some  of  them  were  well  pleased,  and 
some  were  not  so. 


CHAPTER   VI 

How  at  the  day  Sir  Bors  made  him  ready  for  to  fight  for  tlie 
queen  ;  and  when  he  would  fight  how  another  discharged 
him. 

THE  day  came  on  fast  until  the  even  that  the  battle 
should  be.  Then  the  queen  sent  for  Sir  Bors  and  asked 
him  how  he  was  disposed.  Truly  madam,  said  he,  I  am 
disposed  in  likewise  as  I  promised  you,  that  is  for  to  say 
I  shall  not  fail  you,  unless  by  adventure  there  come  a 
better  knight  than  I  am  to  do  battle  for  you,  then, 
madam,  am  I  discharged  of  my  promise.  Will  ye,  said 
the  queen,  that  I  tell  my  lord  Arthur  thus?  Do  as 
it  shall  please  you,  madam.  Then  the  queen  went  unto 
the  king  and  told  him  the  answer  of  Sir  Bors.  Have  ye 
no  doubt,  said  the  king,  of  Sir  Bors,  for  I  call  him  now 
one  of  the  best  knights  of  the  world,  and  the  most  profit- 
ablest  man.  And  thus  it  passed  on  until  the  morn,  and 


CH.  vi   HOW  BORS  MADE  READY  TO  FIGHT       363 

the  king  and  the  queen  and  all  manner  of  knights  that 
were  there  at  that  time  drew  them  unto  the  meadow 
beside  Westminster  where  the  battle  should  be.  And 
so  when  the  king  was  come  with  the  queen  and  many 
knights  of  the  Round  Table,  then  the  queen  was  put 
there  in  the  Constable's  ward,  and  a  great  fire  made  about 
an  iron  stake,  that  an  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte  had  the 
better,  she  should  be  burnt :  such  custom  was  used  in 
those  days,  that  neither  for  favour,  neither  for  love  nor 
affinity,  there  should  be  none  other  but  righteous  judg- 
ment, as  well  upon  a  king  as  upon  a  knight,  and  as  well 
upon  a  queen  as  upon  another  poor  lady. 

So  in  this  meanwhile  came  in  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte, 
and  took  his  oath  afore  the  king,  that  the  queen  did  this 
treason  until  his  cousin  Sir  Patrise,  and  unto  his  oath  he 
would  prove  it  with  his  body,  hand  for  hand,  who  that 
would  say  the  contrary.  Right  so  came  in  Sir  Bors  de 
Ganis,  and  said  :  That  as  for  Queen  Guenever  she  is  in 
the  right,  and  that  will  I  make  good  with  my  hands  that 
she  is  not  culpable  of  this  treason  that  is  put  upon  her. 
Then  make  thee  ready,  said  Sir  Mador,  and  we  shall  prove 
whether  thou  be  in  the  right  or  I.  Sir  Mador,  said  Sir 
Bors,  wit  thou  well  I  know  you  for  a  good  knight.  Not 
for  then  I  shall  not  fear  you  so  greatly,  but  I  trust  to  God 
I  shall  be  able  to  withstand  your  malice.  But  this  much 
have  I  promised  my  lord  Arthur  and  my  lady  the  queen, 
that  I  shall  do  battle  for  her  in  this  case  to  the  uttermost, 
unless  that  there  come  a  better  knight  than  I  am  and  dis- 
charge me.  Is  that  all  ?  said  Sir  Mador,  either  come  thou 
off  and  do  battle  with  me,  or  else  say  nay.  Take  your 
horse,  said  Sir  Bors,  and  as  I  suppose,  ye  shall  not  tarry 
long  but  ye  shall  be  answered. 

Then  either  departed  to  their  tents  and  made  them 
ready  to  horseback  as  they  thought  best.  And  anon  Sir 
Mador  came  into  the  field  with  his  shield  on  his  shoulder 
and  his  spear  in  his  hand  ;  and  so  rode  about  the  place 
crying  unto  Arthur  :  Bid  your  champion  come  forth  an 
he  dare.  Then  was  Sir  Bors  ashamed  and  took  his  horse 
and  came  to  the  lists'  end.  And  then  was  he  ware  where 


364  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

came  from  a  wood  there  fast  by  a  knight  all  armed,  upon 
a  white  horse,  with  a  strange  shield  of  strange  arms  ;  and 
he  came  riding  all  that  he  might  run,  and  so  he  came  to 
Sir  Bors,  and  said  thus  :  Fair  knight,  I  pray  you  be  not 
displeased,  for  here  must  a  better  knight  than  ye  are  have 
this  battle,  therefore  I  pray  you  withdraw  you.  For  wit 
ye  well  I  have  had  this  day  a  right  great  journey,  and  this 
battle  ought  to  be  mine,  and  so  I  promised  you  when  I 
spake  with  you  last,  and  with  all  my  heart  I  thank  you 
of  your  good  will.  Then  Sir  Bors  rode  unto  King  Arthur 
and  told  him  how  there  was  a  knight  come  that  would 
have  the  battle  for  to  fight  for  the  queen.  What  knight 
is  he  ?  said  the  king.  I  wot  not,  said  Sir  Bors,  but  such 
covenant  he  made  with  me  to  be  here  this  day.  Now  my 
lord,  said  Sir  Bors,  here  am  I  discharged. 


CHAPTER   VII 

How  Sir  Launcelof fought  against  Sir  Ma  dor  for  the  queen, 
and  how  he  overcame  Sir  Mador,  and  discharged  the 
queen. 

THEN  the  king  called  to  that  knight,  and  asked  him  if 
he  would  fight  for  the  queen.  Then  he  answered  to  the 
king  :  Therefore  came  I  hither,  and  therefore,  sir  king,  he 
said,  tarry  me  no  longer,  for  I  may  not  tarry.  For  anon 
as  I  have  finished  this  battle  I  must  depart  hence,  for  I 
have  ado  many  matters  elsewhere.  For  wit  you  well,  said 
that  knight,  this  is  dishonour  to  you  all  knights  of  the 
Round  Table,  to  see  and  know  so  noble  a  lady  and  so 
courteous  a  queen  as  Queen  Guenever  is,  thus  to  be  re- 
buked and  shamed  amongst  you.  Then  they  all  marvelled 
what  knight  that  might  be  that  so  took  the  battle  upon 
him.  For  there  was  not  one  that  knew  him,  but  if  it  were 
Sir  Bors. 

Then  said  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte  unto  the  king  :  Now 
let  me  wit  with  whom  I  shall  have  ado  withal.     And  then 


CH.  vii    HOW  LAUNCELOT  FOUGHT  MADOR     365 

they  rode  to  the  lists'  end,  and  there  they  couched  their 
spears,  and  ran  together  with  all  their  might,  and  Sir 
Mador's  spear  brake  all  to  pieces,  but  the  other's  spear 
held,  and  bare  Sir  Mador's  horse  and  all  backward  to  the 
earth  a  great  fall.  But  mightily  and  suddenly  he  avoided 
his  horse  and  put  his  shield  afore  him,  and  then  drew  his 
sword,  and  bade  the  other  knight  alight  and  do  battle 
with  him  on  foot.  Then  that  knight  descended  from  his 
horse  lightly  like  a  valiant  man,  and  put  his  shield  afore 
him  and  drew  his  sword  ;  and  so  they  came  eagerly  unto 
battle,  and  either  gave  other  many  great  strokes,  tracing 
and  traversing,  racing  and  foining,  and  hurtling  together 
with  their  swords  as  it  were  wild  boars.  Thus  were  they 
fighting  nigh  an  hour,  for  this  Sir  Mador  was  a  strong 
knight,  and  mightily  proved  in  many  strong  battles.  But 
at  the  last  this  knight  smote  Sir  Mador  grovelling  upon 
the  earth,  and  the  knight  stepped  near  him  to  have  pulled 
Sir  Mador  flatling  upon  the  ground  ;  and  therewith  sud- 
denly Sir  Mador  arose,  and  in  his  rising  he  smote  that 
knight  through  the  thick  of  the  thighs  that  the  blood  ran 
out  fiercely.  And  when  he  felt  himself  so  wounded,  and 
saw  his  blood,  he  let  him  arise  upon  his  feet.  And  then 
he  gave  him  such  a  buffet  upon  the  helm  that  he  fell  to 
the  earth  flatling,  and  therewith  he  strode  to  him  to  have 
pulled  off  his  helm  off  his  head.  And  then  Sir  Mador 
prayed  that  knight  to  save  his  life,  and  so  he  yielded  him 
as  overcome,  and  released  the  queen  of  his  quarrel.  I  will 
not  grant  thee  thy  life,  said  that  knight,  only  that  thou 
freely  release  the  queen  for  ever,  and  that  no  mention  be 
made  upon  Sir  Patrise's  tomb  that  ever  Queen  Guenever 
consented  to  that  treason.  All  this  shall  be  done,  said  Sir 
Mador,  I  clearly  discharge  my  quarrel  for  ever. 

Then  the  knights  parters  of  the  lists  took  up  Sir 
Mador,  and  led  him  to  his  tent,  and  the  other  knight 
went  straight  to  the  stair-foot  where  sat  King  Arthur ; 
and  by  that  time  was  the  queen  come  to  the  king,  and 
either  kissed  other  heartily.  And  when  the  king  saw  that 
knight,  he  stooped  down  to  him,  and  thanked  him,  and 
in  likewise  did  the  queen  ;  and  the  king  prayed  him  to 


366  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

put  off  his  helmet,  and  to  repose  him,  and  to  take  a  sop 
of  wine.  And  then  he  put  off  his  helm  to  drink,  and  then 
every  knight  knew  him  that  it  was  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake. 
Anon  as  the  king  wist  that,  he  took  the  queen  in  his  hand, 
and  yode  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and  said  :  Sir,  grant  mercy 
of  your  great  travail  that  ye  have  had  this  day  for  me  and 
for  my  queen.  My  lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  wit  ye  well  I 
ought  of  right  ever  to  be  in  your  quarrel,  and  in  my  lady 
the  queen's  quarrel,  to  do  battle  ;  for  ye  are  the  man  that 
gave  me  the  high  order  of  knighthood,  and  that  day  my 
lady,  your  queen,  did  me  great  worship,  and  else  I  had 
been  shamed  ;  for  that  same  day  ye  made  me  knight, 
through  my  hastiness  I  lost  my  sword,  and  my  lady,  your 
queen,  found  it,  and  lapped  it  in  her  train,  and  gave  me 
my  sword  when  I  had  need  thereto,  and  else  had  I  been 
shamed  among  all  knights ;  and  therefore,  my  lord  Arthur,  I 
promised  her  at  that  day  ever  to  be  her  knight  in  right  outher 
in  wrong.  Grant  mercy,  said  the  king,  for  this  journey  ; 
and  wit  ye  well,  said  the  king,  I  shall  acquit  your  goodness. 
And  ever  the  queen  beheld  Sir  Launcelot,  and  wept  so 
tenderly  that  she  sank  almost  to  the  ground  for  sorrow 
that  he  had  done  to  her  so  great  goodness  where  she 
shewed  him  great  unkindness.  Then  the  knights  of  his 
blood  drew  unto  him,  and  there  either  of  them  made  great 
joy  of  other.  And  so  came  all  the  knights  of  the  Table 
Round  that  were  there  at  that  time,  and  welcomed  him. 
And  then  Sir  Mador  was  had  to  leech -craft,  and  Sir 
Launcelot  was  healed  of  his  wound.  And  then  there  was 
made  great  joy  and  mirths  in  that  court. 


CHAPTER   VIII 

How  the  truth  was  known  by  the  Maiden  of  the  Lakf, 
and  of  divers  other  matters. 

AND  so  it  befell  that  the  damosel  of  the  lake,  her  name 
was  Nimue,  the  which  wedded  the  good  knight  Sir  Pel  leas, 


CHAP,  vin    HOW  THE  TRUTH  WAS  KNOWN         367 

and  so  she  came  to  the  court ;  for  ever  she  did  great  good- 
ness unto  King  Arthur  and  to  all  his  knights  through  her 
sorcery  and  enchantments.  And  so  when  she  heard  how 
the  queen  was  an-angered  for  the  death  of  Sir  Patrise, 
then  she  told  it  openly  that  she  was  never  guilty ;  and 
there  she  disclosed  by  whom  it  was  done,  and  named  him, 
Sir  Pinel ;  and  for  what  cause  he  did  it,  there  it  was  openly 
disclosed  ;  and  so  the  queen  was  excused,  and  the  knight 
Pinel  fled  into  his  country.  Then  was  it  openly  known 
that  Sir  Pinel  enpoisoned  the  apples  at  the  feast  to  that 
intent  to  have  destroyed  Sir  Gawaine,  because  Sir  Gawaine 
and  his  brethren  destroyed  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis,  to  the 
which  Sir  Pinel  was  cousin  unto.  Then  was  Sir  Patrise 
buried  in  the  church  of  Westminster  in  a  tomb,  and 
thereupon  was  written  :  Here  lieth  Sir  Patrise  of  Ireland, 
slain  by  Sir  Pinel  le  Savage,  that  enpoisoned  apples  to 
have  slain  Sir  Gawaine,  and  by  misfortune  Sir  Patrise  ate 
one  of  those  apples,  and  then  suddenly  he  brast.  Also 
there  was  written  upon  the  tomb  that  Queen  Guenever 
was  appealed  of  treason  of  the  death  of  Sir  Patrise,  by  Sir 
Mador  de  la  Porte  ;  and  there  was  made  mention  how 
Sir  Launcelot  fought  with  him  for  Queen  Guenever,  and 
overcame  him  in  plain  battle.  All  this  was  written  upon 
the  tomb  of  Sir  Patrise  in  excusing  of  the  queen.  And 
then  Sir  Mador  sued  daily  and  long,  to  have  the  queen's 
good  grace ;  and  so  by  the  means  of  Sir  Launcelot  he 
caused  him  to  stand  in  the  queen's  good  grace,  and  all 
was  forgiven. 

Thus  it  passed  on  till  our  Lady  Day,  Assumption. 
Within  a  fifteen  days  of  that  feast  the  king  let  cry  a  great 
jousts  and  a  tournament  that  should  be  at  that  day  at 
Camelot,  that  is  Winchester  ;  and  the  king  let  cry  that  he 
and  the  King  of  Scots  would  joust  against  all  that  would 
come  against  them.  And  when  this  cry  was  made,  thither 
came  many  knights.  So  there  came  thither  the  King  of 
Northgalis,  and  King  Anguish  of  Ireland,  and  the  King 
with  the  Hundred  Knights,  and  Galahad,  the  haut  prince, 
and  the  King  of  Northumberland,  and  many  other  noble 
dukes  and  earls  of  divers  countries.  So  King  Arthur 


368  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvin 

made  him  ready  to  depart  to  these  jousts,  and  would  have 
had  the  queen  with  him,  but  at  that  time  she  would  not, 
she  said,  for  she  was  sick  and  might  not  ride  at  that  time. 
That  me  repenteth,  said  the  king,  for  this  seven  year  ye 
saw  not  such  a  noble  fellowship  together  except  at  Whit- 
suntide when  Galahad  departed  from  the  court.  Truly, 
said  the  queen  to  the  king,  ye  must  hold  me  excused,  I 
may  not  be  there,  and  that  me  repenteth.  And  many 
deemed  the  queen  would  not  be  there  because  of  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake,  for  Sir  Launcelot  would  not  ride  with 
the  king,  for  he  said  that  he  was  not  whole  of  the  wound 
the  which  Sir  Mador  had  given  him  ;  wherefore  the  king 
was  heavy  and  passing  wroth.  And  so  he  departed 
toward  Winchester  with  his  fellowship ;  and  so  by  the 
way  the  king  lodged  in  a  town  called  Astolat,  that  is  now 
in  English  called  Guildford,  and  there  the  king  lay  in  the 
castle. 

So  when  the  king  was  departed  the  queen  called  Sir 
Launcelot  to  her,  and  said  thus  :  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  are 
greatly  to  blame  thus  to  hold  you  behind  my  lord  ;  what, 
trow  ye,  what  will  your  enemies  and  mine  say  and  deem  ? 
nought  else  but,  See  how  Sir  Launcelot  holdeth  him  ever 
behind  the  king,  and  so  doth  the  queen,  for  that  they 
would  have  their  pleasure  together.  And  thus  will  they 
say,  said  the  queen  to  Sir  Launcelot,  have  ye  no  doubt 
thereof. 


CHAPTER   IX 

How  Sir  Launcelot  rode  to  Astolat,  and  received  a  sleeve  to 
wear  upon  his  helm  at  the  request  of  a  maid. 

MADAM,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  allow  your  wit,  it  is  of  late 
come  since  ye  were  wise.  And  therefore,  madam,  at  this 
time  I  will  be  ruled  by  your  counsel,  and  this  night  I  will 
take  my  rest,  and  to-morrow  by  time  I  will  take  my  way 
toward  Winchester.  But  wit  you  well,  said  Sir  Launcelot 
to  the  queen,  that  at  that  jousts  I  will  be  against  the  king, 


CHAP,  ix      OF  THE  MAIDEN  OF  ASTOLAT  369 

and  against  all  his  fellowship.  Ye  may  there  do  as  ye 
list,  said  the  queen,  but  by  my  counsel  ye  shall  not  be 
against  your  king  and  your  fellowship.  For  therein 
be  full  many  hard  knights  of  your  blood,  as  ye  wot  well 
enough,  it  needeth  not  to  rehearse  them.  Madam,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  I  pray  you  that  ye  be  not  displeased  with 
me,  for  I  will  take  the  adventure  that  God  will  send  me. 

And  so  upon  the  morn  early  Sir  Launcelot  heard  mass 
and  brake  his  fast,  and  so  took  his  leave  of  the  queen  and 
departed.  And  then  he  rode  so  much  until  he  came  to 
Astolat,  that  is  Guildford  ;  and  there  it  happed  him  in  the 
eventide  he  came  to  an  old  baron's  place  that  hight  Sir 
Bernard  of  Astolat.  And  as  Sir  Launcelot  entered  into 
his  lodging,  King  Arthur  espied  him  as  he  did  walk  in  a 
garden  beside  the  castle,  how  he  took  his  lodging,  and 
knew  him  full  well.  It  is  well,  said  King  Arthur  unto  the 
knights  that  were  with  him  in  that  garden  beside  the 
castle,  I  have  now  espied  one  knight  that  will  play  his  play 
at  the  jousts  to  the  which  we  be  gone  toward ;  I  under- 
take he  will  do  marvels.  Who  is  that,  we  pray  you  tell 
us  ?  said  many  knights  that  were  there  at  that  time.  Ye 
shall  not  wit  for  me,  said  the  king,  as  at  this  time.  And 
so  the  king  smiled,  and  went  to  his  lodging. 

So  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  in  his  lodging,  and  un- 
armed him  in  his  chamber,  the  old  baron  and  hermit  came 
to  him  making  his  reverence,  and  welcomed  him  in  the 
best  manner  ;  but  the  old  knight  knew  not  Sir  Launcelot. 
Fair  sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot  to  his  host,  I  would  pray  you 
to  lend  me  a  shield  that  were  not  openly  known,  for  mine 
is  well  known.  Sir,  said  his  host,  ye  shall  have  your 
desire,  for  meseemeth  ye  be  one  of  the  likeliest  knights  of 
the  world,  and  therefore  I  shall  shew  you  friendship.  Sir, 
wit  you  well  I  have  two  sons  that  were  but  late  made 
knights,  and  the  eldest  hight  Sir  Tirre,  and  he  was  hurt 
that  same  day  he  was  made  knight,  that  he  may  not  ride, 
and  his  shield  ye  shall  have  ;  for  that  is  not  known  I  dare 
say  but  here,  and  in  no  place  else.  And  my  youngest  son 
hight  Lavaine,  and  if  it  please  you,  he  shall  ride  with  you 
unto  that  jousts  ;  and  he  is  of  his  age  strong  and  wight, 

VOL.  II  2  B 


370  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

for  much  my  heart  giveth  unto  you  that  ye  should  be  a 
noble  knight,  therefore  I  pray  you,  tell  me  your  name, 
said  Sir  Bernard.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye 
must  hold  me  excused  as  at  this  time,  and  if  God  give  me 
grace  to  speed  well  at  the  jousts  I  shall  come  again  and 
tell  you.  But  I  pray  you,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  in  any  wise 
let  me  have  your  son,  Sir  Lavaine,  with  me,  and  that  I 
may  have  his  brother's  shield.  All  this  shall  be  done, 
said  Sir  Bernard. 

This  old  baron  had  a  daughter  that  was  called  that 
time  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat.  And  ever  she  beheld 
Sir  Launcelot  wonderfully  ;  and  as  the  book  saith,  she 
cast  such  a  love  unto  Sir  Launcelot  that  she  could  never 
withdraw  her  love,  wherefore  she  died,  and  her  name  was 
Elaine  le  Blank.  So  thus  as  she  came  to  and  fro  she  was 
so  hot  in  her  love  that  she  besought  Sir  Launcelot  to  wear 
upon  him  at  the  jousts  a  token  of  hers.  Fair  damosel, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  an  if  I  grant  you  that,  ye  may  say  I 
do  more  for  your  love  than  ever  I  did  for  lady  or  damosel. 
Then  he  remembered  him  he  would  go  to  the  jousts 
disguised.  And  because  he  had  never  fore  that  time 
borne  no  manner  of  token  of  no  damosel,  then  he  be- 
thought him  that  he  would  bear  one  of  her,  that  none  of 
his  blood  thereby  might  know  him,  and  then  he  said  : 
Fair  maiden,  I  will  grant  you  to  wear  a  token  of  yours 
upon  mine  helmet,  and  therefore  what  it  is,  shew  it  me. 
Sir,  she  said,  it  is  a  red  sleeve  of  mine,  of  scarlet,  well 
embroidered  with  great  pearls  :  and  so  she  brought  it 
him.  So  Sir  Launcelot  received  it,  and  said  :  Never  did 
I  erst  so  much  for  no  damosel.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot 
betook  the  fair  maiden  his  shield  in  keeping,  and  prayed 
her  to  keep  that  until  that  he  came  again  ;  and  so  that  night 
he  had  merry  rest  and  great  cheer,  for  ever  the  damosel 
Elaine  was  about  Sir  Launcelot  all  the  while  she  might  be 
suffered 


CH.X     OF  THE  TOURNEY  AT  WINCHESTER      371 


CHAPTER   X 

How  the  tourney  began  at  Winchester,  and  what  knights 
were  at  the  jousts  ;  and  other  things. 

So  upon  a  day,  on  the  morn,  King  Arthur  and  all  his 
knights  departed,  for  their  king  had  tarried  three  days  to 
abide  his  noble  knights.  And  so  when  the  king  was 
ridden,  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Lavaine  made  them  ready  to 
ride,  and  either  of  them  had  white  shields,  and  the  red 
sleeve  Sir  Launcelot  let  carry  with  him.  And  so  they 
took  their  leave  at  Sir  Bernard,  the  old  baron,  and  at  his 
daughter,  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat.  And  then  they  rode 
so  long  till  that  they  came  to  Camelot,  that  time  called 
Winchester  ;  and  there  was  great  press  of  kings,  dukes, 
earls,  and  barons,  and  many  noble  knights.  But  there  Sir 
Launcelot  was  lodged  privily  by  the  means  of  Sir  Lavaine 
with  a  rich  burgess,  that  no  man  in  that  town  was  ware 
what  they  were.  And  so  they  reposed  them  there  till  our 
Lady  Day,  Assumption,  as  the  great  feast  should  be.  So 
then  trumpets  blew  unto  the  field,  and  King  Arthur  was 
set  on  high  upon  a  scaffold  to  behold  who  did  best.  But 
as  the  French  book  saith,  the  king  would  not  suffer  Sir 
Gawaine  to  go  from  him,  for  never  had  Sir  Gawaine  the 
better  an  Sir  Launcelot  were  in  the  field  ;  and  many  times 
was  Sir  Gawaine  rebuked  when  Launcelot  came  into  any 
jousts  disguised. 

Then  some  of  the  kings,  as  King  Anguish  of  Ireland 
and  the  King  of  Scots,  were  that  time  turned  upon  the 
side  of  King  Arthur.  And  then  on  the  other  party  was 
the  King  of  Northgalis,  and  the  King  with  the  Hundred 
Knights,  and  the  King  of  Northumberland,  and  Sir 
Galahad,  the  haut  prince.  But  these  three  kings  and  this 
duke  were  passing  weak  to  hold  against  King  Arthur's 
party,  for  with  him  were  the  noblest  knights  of  the  world. 
So  then  they  withdrew  them  either  party  from  other,  ancj 


372  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xviu 

every  man  made  him  ready  in  his  best  manner  to  do  what 
he  might. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  made  him  ready,  and  put  the  red 
sleeve  upon  his  head,  and  fastened  it  fast ;  and  so  Sir 
Launcelot  and  Sir  Lavaine  departed  out  of  Winchester 
privily,  and  rode  until  a  little  leaved  wood  behind  the 
party  that  held  against  King  Arthur's  party,  and  there 
they  held  them  still  till  the  parties  smote  together.  And 
then  came  in  the  King  of  Scots  and  the  King  of  Ireland 
on  Arthur's  party,  and  against  them  came  the  King  of 
Northumberland,  and  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights 
smote  down  the  King  of  Northumberland,  and  the  King 
with  the  Hundred  Knights  smote  down  King  Anguish  of 
Ireland.  Then  Sir  Palomides  that  was  on  Arthur's  party 
encountered  with  Sir  Galahad,  and  either  of  them  smote 
down  other,  and  either  party  halp  their  lords  on  horseback 
again.  So  there  began  a  strong  assail  upon  both  parties 
And  then  came  in  Sir  Brandiles,  Sir  Sagramore  le  Desirous, 
Sir  Dodinas  le  Savage,  Sir  Kay  le  Seneschal,  Sir  Griflet  le 
Fise  de  Dieu,  Sir  Mordred,  Sir  Meliot  de  Logris,  Sir 
Ozanna  le  Cure  Hardy,  Sir  Safere,  Sir  Epinogris,  Sir 
Galleron  of  Galway.  All  these  fifteen  knights  were 
knights  of  the  Table  Round.  So  these  with  more  other 
came  in  together,  and  beat  aback  the  King  of  Northum- 
berland and  the  King  of  Northgalis.  When  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  this,  as  he  hoved  in  a  little  leaved  wood,  then  he  said 
unto  Sir  Lavaine  :  See  yonder  is  a  company  of  good 
knights,  and  they  hold  them  together  as  boars  that  were 
chafed  with  dogs.  That  is  truth,  said  Sir  Lavaine. 


CHAPTER  XI 

How  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Lavaine  entered  in  the  field 
against  them  of  King  Arthur's  court,  and  how  Launce- 
lot was  hurt. 

Now,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  an  ye  will  help  me  a  little,  ye 
shall  see  yonder  fellowship  that  chaseth  now  these  men  in 


CHAP,  xi     OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  LAVAINE  373 

our  side,  that  they  shall  go  as  fast  backward  as  they  went 
forward.  Sir,  spare  not,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  for  I  shall  do 
what  I  may.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Lavaine  came 
in  at  the  thickest  of  the  press,  and  there  Sir  Launcelot 
smote  down  Sir  Brandiles,  Sir  Sagramore,  Sir  Dodinas,  Sir 
Kay,  Sir  Griflet,  and  all  this  he  did  with  one  spear  ;  and 
Sir  Lavaine  smote  down  Sir  Lucan  le  Butler  and  Sir 
Bedevere.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  gat  another  spear, 
and  there  he  smote  down  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir  Gaheris,  and 
Sir  Mordred,  and  Sir  Meliot  de  Logris  ;  and  Sir  Lavaine 
smote  Ozanna  le  Cure  Hardy.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot 
drew  his  sword,  and  there  he  smote  on  the  right  hand  and 
on  the  left  hand,  and  by  great  force  he  unhorsed  Sir 
Safere,  Sir  Epinogris,  and  Sir  Galleron ;  and  then  the 
knights  of  the  Table  Round  withdrew  them  aback,  after 
they  had  gotten  their  horses  as  well  as  they  might.  O 
mercy  Jesu,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  what  knight  is  yonder  that 
doth  so  marvellous  deeds  of  arms  in  that  field  ?  I  wot 
well  what  he  is,  said  King  Arthur,  but  as  at  this  time  I 
will  not  name  him.  Sir,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  would  say  it 
were  Sir  Launcelot  by  his  riding  and  his  buffets  that  I  see 
him  deal,  but  ever  meseemeth  it  should  not  be  he,  for  that 
he  beareth  the  red  sleeve  upon  his  head  ;  for  I  wist  him 
never  bear  token  at  no  jousts,  of  lady  nor  gentlewoman. 
Let  him  be,  said  King  Arthur,  he  will  be  better  known, 
and  do  more,  or  ever  he  depart. 

Then  the  party  that  was  against  King  Arthur  were 
well  comforted,  and  then  they  held  them  together  that 
beforehand  were  sore  rebuked.  Then  Sir  Bors,  Sir  Ector 
de  Maris,  and  Sir  Lionel  called  unto  them  the  knights  of 
their  blood,  as  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis,  Sir  Bleoberis,  Sir 
Aliduke,  Sir  Galihud,  Sir  Galihodin,  Sir  Bellangere  le 
Beuse.  So  these  nine  knights  of  Sir  Launcelot's  kin 
thrust  in  mightily,  for  they  were  all  noble  knights  ;  and 
they,  of  great  hate  and  despite  that  they  had  unto  him, 
thought  to  rebuke  that  noble  knight  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
Sir  Lavaine,  for  they  knew  them  not ;  and  so  they  came 
hurling  together,  and  smote  down  many  knights  of  North- 
galis  and  of  Northumberland.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 


374  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

saw  them  fare  so,  he  gat  a  spear  in  his  hand  ;  and  there 
encountered  with  him  all  at  once  Sir  Bors,  Sir  Ector,  and 
Sir  Lionel,  and  all  they  three  smote  him  at  once  with 
their  spears.  And  with  force  of  themself  they  smote  Sir 
Launcelot's  horse  to  the  earth  ;  and  by  misfortune  Sir 
Bors  smote  Sir  Launcelot  through  the  shield  into  the  side, 
and  the  spear  brake,  and  the  head  left  still  in  his  side. 

When  Sir  Lavaine  saw  his  master  lie  on  the  ground, 
he  ran  to  the  King  of  Scots  and  smote  him  to  the  earth  ; 
and  by  great  force  he  took  his  horse,  and  brought  him  to 
Sir  Launcelot,  and  maugre  of  them  all  he  made  him  to 
mount  upon  that  horse.  And  then  Launcelot  gat  a  spear 
in  his  hand,  and  there  he  smote  Sir  Bors,  horse  and  man, 
to  the  earth.  In  the  same  wise  he  served  Sir  Ector  and 
Sir  Lionel ;  and  Sir  Lavaine  smote  down  Sir  Blamore  de 
Ganis.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  drew  his  sword,  for  he 
felt  himself  so  sore  y-hurt  that  he  weened  there  to  have 
had  his  death.  And  then  he  smote  Sir  Bleoberis  such  a 
buffet  on  the  helm  that  he  fell  down  to  the  earth  in  a 
swoon.  And  in  the  same  wise  he  served  Sir  Aliduke  and 
Sir  Galihud.  And  Sir  Lavaine  smote  down  Sir  Bellangere, 
that  was  the  son  of  Alisander  le  Orphelin. 

And  by  this  was  Sir  Bors  horsed,  and  then  he  came 
with  Sir  Ector  and  Sir  Lionel,  and  all  they  three  smote 
with  swords  upon  Sir  Launcelot's  helmet.  And  when  he 
felt  their  buffets  and  his  wound,  the  which  was  so  grievous, 
then  he  thought  to  do  what  he  might  while  he  might 
endure.  And  then  he  gave  Sir  Bors  such  a  buffet  that  he 
made  him  bow  his  head  passing  low ;  and  therewithal  he 
raced  off  his  helm,  and  might  have  slain  him  ;  and  so 
pulled  him  down,  and  in  the  same  wise  he  served  Sir 
Ector  and  Sir  Lionel.  For  as  the  book  saith  he  might 
have  slain  them,  but  when  he  saw  their  visages  his  heart 
might  not  serve  him  thereto,  but  left  them  there.  And 
then  afterward  he  hurled  into  the  thickest  press  of  them 
all,  and  did  there  the  marvelloust  deeds  of  arms  that  ever 
man  saw  or  heard  speak  of,  and  ever  Sir  Lavaine,  the 
good  knight,  with  him.  And  there  Sir  Launcelot  with 
his  sword  smote  down  and  pulled  down,  as  the  French 


CH.  xii    HOW  LAUNCELOT  WAS  WOUNDED        375 

book  maketh  mention,  mo  than  thirty  knights,  and  the 
most  part  were  of  the  Table  Round  ;  and  Sir  Lavaine  did 
full  well  that  day,  for  he  smote  down  ten  knights  of  the 
Table  Round. 


CHAPTER   XII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Lavaine  departed  out  of  the 
field,  and  in  what  jeopardy  Launcelot  was. 

MERCY  Jesu,  said  Sir  Gawaine  to  Arthur,  I  marvel  what 
knight  that  he  is  with  the  red  sleeve.  Sir,  said  King 
Arthur,  he  will  be  known  or  he  depart.  And  then  the 
king  blew  unto  lodging,  and  the  prize  was  given  by 
heralds  unto  the  knight  with  the  white  shield  that  bare 
the  red  sleeve.  Then  came  the  King  with  the  Hundred 
Knights,  the  King  of  Northgalis,  and  the  King  of  North- 
umberland, and  Sir  Galahad,  the  haut  prince,  and  said 
unto  Sir  Launcelot :  Fair  knight,  God  thee  bless,  for 
much  have  ye  done  this  day  for  us,  therefore  we  pray  you 
that  ye  will  come  with  us  that  ye  may  receive  the  honour 
and  the  prize  as  ye  have  worshipfully  deserved  it.  My 
fair  lords,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  wit  you  well  if  I  have  deserved 
thanks  I  have  sore  bought  it,  and  that  me  repenteth,  for 
I  am  like  never  to  escape  with  my  life  ;  therefore,  fair 
lords,  I  pray  you  that  ye  will  suffer  me  to  depart  where 
me  liketh,  for  I  am  sore  hurt.  I  take  none  force  of  none 
honour,  for  I  had  liefer  to  repose  me  than  to  be  lord  of 
all  the  world.  And  therewithal  he  groaned  piteously,  and 
rode  a  great  wallop  away-ward  from  them  until  he  came 
under  a  wood's  side. 

And  when  he  saw  that  he  was  from  the  field  nigh  a 
mile,  that  he  was  sure  he  might  not  be  seen,  then  he  said 
with  an  high  voice  :  O  gentle  knight,  Sir  Lavaine,  help  me 
that  this  truncheon  were  out  of  my  side,  for  it  sticketh  so 
sore  that  it  nigh  slayeth  me.  O  mine  own  lord,  said  Sir 
Lavaine,  I  would  fain  do  that  might  please  you,  but  I 
dread  me  sore  an  I  pull  out  the  truncheon  that  ye  shall  be 


376  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

in  peril  of  death.  I  charge  you,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  as  ye 
love  me,  draw  it  out.  And  therewithal  he  descended  from 
his  horse,  and  right  so  did  Sir  Lavaine  ;  and  forthwithal 
Sir  Lavaine  drew  the  truncheon  out  of  his  side,  and  he 
gave  a  great  shriek  and  a  marvellous  grisly  groan,  and  the 
blood  brast  out  nigh  a  pint  at  once,  that  at  the  last  he 
sank  down  upon  his  buttocks,  and  so  swooned  pale  and 
deadly.  Alas,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  what  shall  I  do  ?  And 
then  he  turned  Sir  Launcelot  into  the  wind,  but  so  he  lay 
there  nigh  half  an  hour  as  he  had  been  dead. 

And  so  at  the  last  Sir  Launcelot  cast  up  his  eyes,  and 
said  :  O  Lavaine,  help  me  that  I  were  on  my  horse,  for 
here  is  fast  by  within  this  two  mile  a  gentle  hermit  that 
sometime  was  a  full  noble  knight  and  a  great  lord  of 
possessions.  And  for  great  goodness  he  hath  taken  him 
to  wilful  poverty,  and  forsaken  many  lands,  and  his  name 
is  Sir  Baudwin  of  Brittany,  and  he  is  a  full  noble  surgeon 
and  a  good  leech.  Now  let  see,  help  me  up  that  I  were 
there,  for  ever  my  heart  giveth  me  that  I  shall  never  die 
of  my  cousin-germain's  hands.  And  then  with  great  pain 
Sir  Lavaine  halp  him  upon  his  horse.  And  then  they 
rode  a  great  wallop  together,  and  ever  Sir  Launcelot  bled 
that  it  ran  down  to  the  earth  ;  and  so  by  fortune  they 
came  to  that  hermitage  the  which  was  under  a  wood,  and 
a  great  cliff  on  the  other  side,  and  a  fair  water  running 
under  it.  And  then  Sir  Lavaine  beat  on  the  gate  with 
the  butt  of  his  spear,  and  cried  fast :  Let  in  for  Jesu's 
sake. 

And  there  came  a  fair  child  to  them,  and  asked  them 
what  they  would.  Fair  son,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  go  and  pray 
thy  lord,  the  hermit,  for  God's  sake  to  let  in  here  a  knight 
that  is  full  sore  wounded ;  and  this  day  tell  thy  lord  I  saw 
him  do  more  deeds  of  arms  than  ever  I  heard  say  that  any 
man  did.  So  the  child  went  in  lightly,  and  then  he  brought 
the  hermit,  the  which  was  a  passing  good  man.  When  Sir 
Lavaine  saw  him  he  prayed  him  for  God's  sake  of  succour. 
What  knight  is  he  ?  said  the  hermit.  Is  he  of  the  house 
of  King  Arthur,  or  not  ?  I  wot  not,  said  Sir  Lavaine, 
what  is  he,  nor  what  is  his  name,  but  well  I  wot  I  saw  him 


CH.  xin    OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  THE  HERMIT      377 

do  marvellously  this  day  as  of  deeds  of  arms.  On  whose 
party  was  he  ?  said  the  hermit.  Sir,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  he 
was  this  day  against  King  Arthur,  and  there  he  won  the 
prize  of  all  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  I  have  seen 
the  day,  said  the  hermit,  I  would  have  loved  him  the 
worse  because  he  was  against  my  lord,  King  Arthur,  for 
sometime  I  was  one  of  the  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table, 
but  I  thank  God  now  I  am  otherwise  disposed.  But 
where  is  he  ?  let  me  see  him.  Then  Sir  Lavaine  brought 
the  hermit  to  him. 


CHAPTER    XIII 

How  Launcelot  was  brought  to  an  hermit  for  to  be  healed 
of  his  wound,  and  of  other  matters. 

AND  when  the  hermit  beheld  him,  as  he  sat  leaning  upon 
his  saddle-bow  ever  bleeding  piteously,  and  ever  the 
knight -hermit  thought  that  he  should  know  him,  but 
he  could  not  bring  him  to  knowledge  because  he  was 
so  pale  for  bleeding.  What  knight  are  ye,  said  the 
hermit,  and  where  were  ye  born  ?  My  fair  lord,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  I  am  a  stranger  and  a  knight  adventurous, 
that  laboureth  throughout  many  realms  for  to  win  worship. 
Then  the  hermit  advised  him  better,  and  saw  by  a  wound 
on  his  cheek  that  he  was  Sir  Launcelot.  Alas,  said  the 
hermit,  mine  own  lord  why  lain  you  your  name  from 
me  ?  Forsooth  I  ought  to  know  you  of  right,  for  ye 
are  the  most  noblest  knight  of  the  world,  for  well  I  know 
you  for  Sir  Launcelot.  Sir,  said  he,  sith  ye  know  me,  help 
me  an  ye  may,  for  God's  sake,  for  I  would  be  out  of  this 
pain  at  once,  either  to  death  or  to  life.  Have  ye  no 
doubt,  said  the  hermit,  ye  shall  live  and  fare  right  well. 
And  so  the  hermit  called  to  him  two  of  his  servants,  and 
so  he  and  his  servants  bare  him  into  the  hermitage,  and 
lightly  unarmed  him,  and  laid  him  in  his  bed.  And  then 
anon  the  hermit  staunched  his  blood,  and  made  him  to 


378  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

drink  good  wine,  so  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  well  refreshed 
and  knew  himself ;  for  in  those  days  it  was  not  the  guise 
of  hermits  as  is  nowadays,  for  there  were  none  hermits  in 
those  days  but  that  they  had  been  men  of  worship  and  of 
prowess  ;  and  those  hermits  held  great  household,  and 
refreshed  people  that  were  in  distress. 

Now  turn  we  unto  King  Arthur,  and  leave  we  Sir 
Launcelot  in  the  hermitage.  So  when  the  kings  were 
come  together  on  both  parties,  and  the  great  feast  should 
be  holden,  King  Arthur  asked  the  King  of  Northgalis  and 
their  fellowship,  where  was  that  knight  that  bare  the  red 
sleeve  :  Bring  him  afore  me  that  he  may  have  his  laud, 
and  honour,  and  the  prize,  as  it  is  right.  Then  spake 
Sir  Galahad,  the  haut  prince,  and  the  King  with  the 
Hundred  Knights :  We  suppose  that  knight  is  mis- 
chieved,  and  that  he  is  never  like  to  see  you  nor  none 
of  us  all,  and  that  is  the  greatest  pity  that  ever  we  wist 
of  any  knight.  Alas,  said  Arthur,  how  may  this  be,  is  he 
so  hurt  ?  What  is  his  name  ?  said  King  Arthur.  Truly, 
said  they  all,  we  know  not  his  name,  nor  from  whence  he 
came,  nor  whither  he  would.  Alas,  said  the  king,  this  be 
to  me  the  worst  tidings  that  came  to  me  this  seven  year, 
for  I  would  not  for  all  the  lands  I  wield  to  know  and  wit 
it  were  so  that  that  noble  knight  were  slain.  Know  ye 
him  ?  said  they  all.  As  for  that,  said  Arthur,  whether 
I  know  him  or  know  him  not,  ye  shall  not  know  for  me 
what  man  he  is,  but  Almighty  Jesu  send  me  good  tidings 
of  him.  And  so  said  they  all.  By  my  head,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  if  it  so  be  that  the  good  knight  be  so  sore  hurt, 
it  is  great  damage  and  pity  to  all  this  land,  for  he  is  one 
of  the  noblest  knights  that  ever  I  saw  in  a  field  handle  a 
spear  or  a  sword  ;  and  if  he  may  be  found  I  shall  find 
him,  for  I  am  sure  he  nis  not  far  from  this  town.  Bear 
you  well,  said  King  Arthur,  an  ye  may  find  him,  unless 
that  he  be  in  such  a  plight  that  he  may  not  wield  himself. 
Jesu  defend,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  but  wit  I  shall  what  he  is, 
an  I  may  find  him. 

Right  so  Sir  Gawaine  took  a  squire  with  him  upon 
hackneys,  and  rode  all  about  Camelot  within  six  or  seven 


CH.  xiv    HOW  GAWAINE  CAME  TO  ASTOLAT    379 

mile,  but  so  he  came  again  and  could  hear  no  word  of 
him.  Then  within  two  days  King  Arthur  and  all  the 
fellowship  returned  unto  London  again.  And  so  as  they 
rode  by  the  way  it  happed  Sir  Gawaine  at  Astolat  to 
lodge  with  Sir  Bernard  thereas  was  Sir  Launcelot  lodged. 
And  so  as  Sir  Gawaine  was  in  his  chamber  to  repose  him 
Sir  Bernard,  the  old  baron,  came  unto  him,  and  his 
daughter  Elaine,  to  cheer  him  and  to  ask  him  what 
tidings,  and  who  did  best  at  that  tournament  of  Win- 
chester. So  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  there  were 
two  knights  that  bare  two  white  shields,  but  the  one  of 
them  bare  a  red  sleeve  upon  his  head,  and  certainly  he 
was  one  of  the  best  knights  that  ever  I  saw  joust  in  field. 
For  I  dare  say,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  one  knight  with  the 
red  sleeve  smote  down  forty  knights  of  the  Table  Round, 
and  his  fellow  did  right  well  and  worshipfully.  Now 
blessed  be  God,  said  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat,  that  that 
knight  sped  so  well,  for  he  is  the  man  in  the  world  that 
I  first  loved,  and  truly  he  shall  be  last  that  ever  I  shall 
love.  Now,  fair  maid,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  is  that  good 
knight  your  love  ?  Certainly  sir,  said  she,  wit  ye  well  he 
is  my  love.  Then  know  ye  his  name  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine. 
Nay  truly,  said  the  damosel,  I  know  not  his  name  nor 
from  whence  he  cometh,  but  to  say  that  I  love  him,  I 
promise  you  and  God  that  I  love  him.  How  had  ye 
knowledge  of  him  first  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine. 


CHAPTER    XIV 

How  Sir  Gawaine  was  lodged  with  the  lord  of  Astolat,  and 
there  had  knowledge  that  it  was  Sir  Launcelot  that  bare 
the  red  sleeve. 

THEN  she  told  him  as  ye  have  heard  to-fore,  and  how  her 
father  betook  him  her  brother  to  do  him  service,  and  how 
her  father  lent  him  her  brother's,  Sir  Tirre's,  shield  :  And 
here  with  me  he  left  his  own  shield.  For  what  cause  did 


380  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

he  so  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine.  For  this  cause,  said  the  damosel, 
for  his  shield  was  too  well  known  among  many  noble 
knights.  Ah  fair  damosel,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  please  it  you 
let  me  have  a  sight  of  that  shield.  Sir,  said  she,  it  is 
in  my  chamber,  covered  with  a  case,  and  if  ye  will  come 
with  me  ye  shall  see  it.  Not  so,  said  Sir  Bernard  till  his 
daughter,  let  send  for  it. 

So  when  the  shield  was  come,  Sir  Gawaine  took  off  the 
case,  and  when  he  beheld  that  shield  he  knew  anon  that  it 
was  Sir  Launcelot's  shield,  and  his  own  arms.  Ah  Jesu 
mercy,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  now  is  my  heart  more  heavier 
than  ever  it  was  to-fore.  Why  ?  said  Elaine.  For  I  have 
great  cause,  said  Sir  Gawaine.  Is  that  knight  that  oweth 
this  shield  your  love  ?  Yea  truly,  said  she,  my  love  he  is, 
God  would  I  were  his  love.  So  God  me  speed,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  fair  damosel  ye  have  right,  for  an  he  be  your 
love  ye  love  the  most  honourable  knight  of  the  world,  and 
the  man  of  most  worship.  So  me  thought  ever,  said  the 
damosel,  for  never  or  that"  time,  for  no  knight  that  ever 
I  saw,  loved  I  never  none  erst.  God  grant,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  that  either  of  you  may  rejoice  other,  but  that 
is  in  a  great  adventure.  But  truly,  said  Sir  Gawaine  unto 
the  damosel,  ye  may  say  ye  have  a  fair  grace,  for  why 
I  have  known  that  noble  knight  this  four-and-twenty  year, 
and  never  or  that  day,  I  nor  none  other  knight,  I  dare 
make  good,  saw  nor  heard  say  that  ever  he  bare  token  or 
sign  of  no  lady,  gentlewoman,  ne  maiden,  at  no  jousts  nor 
tournament.  And  therefore  fair  maiden,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
ye  are  much  beholden  to  him  to  give  him  thanks.  But 
I  dread  me,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  ye  shall  never  see  him 
in  this  world,  and  that  is  great  pity  that  ever  was  of 
earthly  knight.  Alas,  said  she,  how  may  this  be,  is  he 
slain  ?  I  say  not  so,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  but  wit  ye  well 
he  is  grievously  wounded,  by  all  manner  of  signs,  and  by 
men's  sight  more  likelier  to  be  dead  than  to  be  alive ; 
and  wit  ye  well  he  is  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  for 
by  this  shield  I  know  him.  Alas,  said  the  Fair  Maiden 
of  Astolat,  how  may  this  be,  and  what  was  his  hurt? 
Truly,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  the  man  in  the  world  that  loved 


CH.XV   OF  BORS'  SORROW  FOR  LAUNCELOT     381 

him  best  hurt  him  so ;  and  I  dare  say,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
an  that  knight  that  hurt  him  knew  the  very  certainty  that 
he  had  hurt  Sir  Launcelot,  it  would  be  the  most  sorrow 
that  ever  came  to  his  heart. 

Now  fair  father,  said  then  Elaine,  I  require  you 
give  me  leave  to  ride  and  to  seek  him,  or  else  I  wot  well 
I  shall  go  out  of  my  mind,  for  I  shall  never  stint  till  that 
I  find  him  and  my  brother,  Sir  Lavaine.  Do  as  it  liketh 
you,  said  her  father,  for  me  sore  repenteth  of  the  hurt  of 
that  noble  knight.  Right  so  the  maid  made  her  ready, 
and  before  Sir  Gawaine,  making  great  dole. 

Then  on  the  morn  Sir  Gawaine  came  to  King  Arthur, 
and  told  him  how  he  had  found  Sir  Launcelot's  shield  in 
the  keeping  of  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat.  All  that 
knew  I  aforehand,  said  King  Arthur,  and  that  caused  me 
I  would  not  suffer  you  to  have  ado  at  the  great  jousts, 
for  I  espied,  said  King  Arthur,  when  he  came  in  till  his 
lodging  full  late  in  the  evening  in  Astolat.  But  marvel 
have  I,  said  Arthur,  that  ever  he  would  bear  any  sign  of 
any  damosel,  for  or  now  I  never  heard  say  nor  knew  that 
ever  he  bare  any  token  of  none  earthly  woman.  By  my 
head,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat  loveth 
him  marvellously  well ;  what  it  meaneth  I  cannot  say,  and 
she  is  ridden  after  to  seek  him.  So  the  king  and  all  came 
to  London,  and  there  Sir  Gawaine  openly  disclosed  to  all 
the  court  that  it  was  Sir  Launcelot  that  jousted  best. 


CHAPTER   XV 

Of  the  sorrow  that  Sir  Bors  had  for  the  hurt  of  Launcelot; 
and  of  the  anger  that  the  queen  had  because  Launcelot 
bare  the  sleeve. 

AND  when  Sir  Bors  heard  that,  wit  ye  well  he  was  an 
heavy  man,  and  so  were  all  his  kinsmen.  But  when 
Queen  Guenever  wist  that  Sir  Launcelot  bare  the  red 
sleeve  of  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat  she  was  nigh  out  of 


382  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

her  mind  for  wrath.  And  then  she  sent  for  Sir  Bors  de 
Ganis  in  all  the  haste  that  might  be.  So  when  Sir  Bors 
was  come  to-fore  the  queen,  then  she  said  :  Ah  Sir  Bors, 
have  ye  heard  say  how  falsely  Sir  Launcelot  hath  betrayed 
me  ?  Alas  madam,  said  Sir  Bors,  I  am  afeard  he  hath 
betrayed  himself  and  us  all.  No  force,  said  the  queen, 
though  he  be  destroyed,  for  he  is  a  false  traitor-knight. 
Madam,  said  Sir  Bors,  I  pray  you  say  ye  not  so,  for  wit 
you  well  I  may  not  hear  such  language  of  him.  Why  Sir 
Bors,  said  she,  should  I  not  call  him  traitor  when  he  bare 
the  red  sleeve  upon  his  head  at  Winchester,  at  the  great 
jousts?  Madam,  said  Sir  Bors,  that  sleeve  -  bearing 
repenteth  me  sore,  but  I  dare  say  he  did  it  to  none  evil 
intent,  but  for  this  cause  he  bare  the  red  sleeve  that  none 
of  his  blood  should  know  him.  For  or  then  we,  nor  none  of 
us  all,  never  knew  that  ever  he  bare  token  or  sign  of  maid, 
lady,  ne  gentlewoman.  Fie  on  him,  said  the  queen,  yet 
for  all  his  pride  and  bobaunce  there  ye  proved  yourself  his 
better.  Nay  madam,  say  ye  never  more  so,  for  he  beat 
me  and  my  fellows,  and  might  have  slain  us  an  he  had 
would.  Fie  on  him,  said  the  queen,  for  I  heard  Sir 
Gawaine  say  before  my  lord  Arthur  that  it  were  marvel  to 
tell  the  great  love  that  is  between  the  Fair  Maiden  of 
Astolat  and  him.  Madam,  said  Sir  Bors,  I  may  not  warn 
Sir  Gawaine  to  say  what  it  pleased  him  ;  but  I  dare  say, 
as  for  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  that  he  loveth  no  lady, 
gentlewoman,  nor  maid,  but  all  he  loveth  in  like  much. 
And  therefore  madam,  said  Sir  Bors,  ye  may  say  what 
ye  will,  but  wit  ye  well  I  will  haste  me  to  seek  him,  and 
find  him  wheresomever  he  be,  and  God  send  me  good 
tidings  of  him.  And  so  leave  we  them  there,  and  speak 
we  of  Sir  Launcelot  that  lay  in  great  peril. 

So  as  fair  Elaine  came  to  Winchester  she  sought  there 
all  about,  and  by  fortune  Sir  Lavaine  was  ridden  to  play 
him,  to  enchafe  his  horse.  And  anon  as  Elaine  saw  him 
she  knew  him,  and  then  she  cried  aloud  until  him.  And 
when  he  heard  her  anon  he  came  to  her,  and  then  she  asked 
her  brother  how  did  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot.  Who  told 
you,  sister,  that  my  lord's  name  was  Sir  Launcelot ?  Then 


CHAP,  xv  OF  THE  QUEEN'S  ANGER  383 

she  told  him  how  Sir  Gawaine  by  his  shield  knew  him. 
So  they  rode  together  till  that  they  came  to  the  hermitage, 
and  anon  she  alighted. 

So  Sir  Lavaine  brought  her  in  to  Sir  Launcelot ;  and 
when  she  saw  him  lie  so  sick  and  pale  in  his  bed  she  might 
not  speak,  but  suddenly  she  fell  to  the  earth  down  suddenly 
in  a  swoon,  and  there  she  lay  a  great  while.  And  when 
she  was  relieved,  she  shrieked  and  said  :  My  lord,  Sir 
Launcelot,  alas  why  be  ye  in  this  plight?  and  then  she 
swooned  again.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  prayed  Sir 
Lavaine  to  take  her  up  :  And  bring  her  to  me.  And 
when  she  came  to  herself  Sir  Launcelot  kissed  her,  and 
said  :  Fair  maiden,  why  fare  ye  thus  ?  ye  put  me  to  pain  ; 
wherefore  make  ye  no  more  such  cheer,  for  an  ye  be  come 
to  comfort  me  ye  be  right  welcome  ;  and  of  this  little  hurt 
that  I  have  I  shall  be  right  hastily  whole  by  the  grace  of 
God.  But  I  marvel,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  who  told  you  my 
name  ?  Then  the  fair  maiden  told  him  all  how  Sir 
Gawaine  was  lodged  with  her  father  :  And  there  by  your 
shield  he  discovered  your  name.  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
that  me  repenteth  that  my  name  is  known,  for  I  am  sure 
it  will  turn  unto  anger.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  com- 
passed in  his  mind  that  Sir  Gawaine  would  tell  Queen 
Guenever  how  he  bare  the  red  sleeve,  and  for  whom  ;  that 
he  wist  well  would  turn  into  great  anger. 

So  this  maiden  Elaine  never  went  from  Sir  Launcelot, 
but  watched  him  day  and  night,  and  did  such  attendance 
to  him,  that  the  French  book  saith  there  was  never  woman 
did  more  kindlier  for  man  than  she.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
prayed  Sir  Lavaine  to  make  aspics  in  Winchester  for  Sir 
Bors  if  he  came  there,  and  told  him  by  what  tokens  he 
should  know  him,  by  a  wound  in  his  forehead.  For  well 
I  am  sure,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  Sir  Bors  will  seek  me, 
for  he  is  the  same  good  knight  that  hurt  me. 


384  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 


CHAPTER   XVI 

How  Sir  Bors  sought  Launcelot  and  found  him  In  the 
hermitage ,  and  of  the  lamentation  between  them. 

Now  turn  we  unto  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis  that  came  unto 
Winchester  to  seek  after  his  cousin  Sir  Launcelot.  And 
so  when  he  came  to  Winchester,  anon  there  were  men 
that  Sir  Lavaine  had  made  to  lie  in  a  watch  for  such  a 
man,  and  anon  Sir  Lavaine  had  warning  ;  and  then  Sir 
Lavaine  came  to  Winchester  and  found  Sir  Bors,  and 
there  he  told  him  what  he  was,  and  with  whom  he  was, 
and  what  was  his  name.  Now  fair  knight,  said  Sir  Bors, 
I  require  you  that  ye  will  bring  me  to  my  lord,  Sir 
Launcelot.  Sir,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  take  your  horse,  and 
within  this  hour  ye  shall  see  him.  And  so  they  departed, 
and  came  to  the  hermitage. 

And  when  Sir  Bors  saw  Sir  Launcelot  lie  in  his  bed 
pale  and  discoloured,  anon  Sir  Bors  lost  his  countenance, 
and  for  kindness  and  pity  he  might  not  speak,  but  wept 
tenderly  a  great  while.  And  then  when  he  might  speak 
he  said  thus  :  O  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  God  you  bless, 
and  send  you  hasty  recover ;  and  full  heavy  am  I  of  my 
misfortune  and  of  mine  unhappiness,  for  now  I  may  call 
myself  unhappy.  And  I  dread  me  that  God  is  greatly 
displeased  with  me,  that  he  would  suffer  me  to  have  such 
a  shame  for  to  hurt  you  that  are  all  our  leader,  and  all  our 
worship  ;  and  therefore  I  call  myself  unhappy.  Alas  that 
ever  such  a  caitiff-knight  as  I  am  should  have  power  by 
unhappiness  to  hurt  the  most  noblest  knight  of  the  world. 
Where  I  so  shamefully  set  upon  you  and  overcharged  you, 
and  where  ye  might  have  slain  me,  ye  saved  me  ;  and  so 
did  not  I,  for  I  and  your  blood  did  to  you  our  utterance. 
I  marvel,  said  Sir  Bors,  that  my  heart  or  my  blood  would 
serve  me,  wherefore  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  I  ask  your 
mercy.  Fair  cousin,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  be  right 
welcome ;  and  wit  ye  well,  overmuch  ye  say  for  to  please 


CH.  xvi   HOW  SIR  BORS  FOUND  LAUNCELOT     385 

me,  the  which  pleaseth  me  not,  for  why  I  have  the  same  I 
sought ;  for  I  would  with  pride  have  overcome  you  all, 
and  there  in  my  pride  I  was  near  slain,  and  that  was  in 
mine  own  default,  for  I  might  have  given  you  warning  of 
my  being  there.  And  then  had  I  had  no  hurt,  for  it  is  an 
old  said  saw,  there  is  hard  battle  thereas  kin  and  friends 
do  battle  either  against  other,  there  may  be  no  mercy  but 
mortal  war.  Therefore,  fair  cousin,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
let  this  speech  overpass,  and  all  shall  be  welcome  that  God 
sendeth  ;  and  let  us  leave  off  this  matter  and  let  us  speak 
of  some  rejoicing,  for  this  that  is  done  may  not  be 
undone  ;  and  let  us  find  a  remedy  how  soon  that  I  may 
be  whole. 

Then  Sir  Bors  leaned  upon  his  bedside,  and  told  Sir 
Launcelot  how  the  queen  was  passing  wroth  with  him, 
because  he  wore  the  red  sleeve  at  the  great  jousts  ;  and 
there  Sir  Bors  told  him  all  how  Sir  Gawaine  discovered  it : 
By  your  shield  that  ye  left  with  the  Fair  Maiden  of 
Astolat.  Then  is  the  queen  wroth,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  therefore  am  I  right  heavy,  for  I  deserved  no  wrath, 
for  all  that  I  did  was  because  I  would  not  be  known. 
Right  so  excused  I  you,  said  Sir  Bors,  but  all  was  in  vain, 
for  she  said  more  largelier  to  me  than  I  to  you  now.  But 
is  this  she,  said  Sir  Bors,  that  is  so  busy  about  you,  that 
men  call  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat  ?  She  it  is,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  that  by  no  means  I  cannot  put  her  from  me. 
Why  should  ye  put  her  from  you  ?  said  Sir  Bors,  she  is  a 
passing  fair  damosel,  and  a  well  beseen,  and  well  taught ; 
and  God  would,  fair  cousin,  said  Sir  Bors,  that  ye  could 
love  her,  but  as  to  that  I  may  not,  nor  I  dare  not,  counsel 
you.  But  I  see  well,  said  Sir  Bors,  by  her  diligence  about 
you  that  she  loveth  you  entirely.  That  me  repenteth, 
said  Sir  Launcelot.  Sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  she  is  not  the  first 
that  hath  lost  her  pain  upon  you,  and  that  is  the  more 
pity  :  and  so  they  talked  of  many  more  things.  And  so 
within  three  days  or  four  Sir  Launcelot  was  big  and  strong 
again. 


VOL.  II  2  C 


386  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 


CHAPTER   XVII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  armed  him  to  assay  if  he  might  bear 
arms,  and  how  his  wounds  brast  out  again. 

THEN  Sir  Bors  told  Sir  Launcelot  how  there  was  sworn  a 
great  tournament  and  jousts  betwixt  King  Arthur  and  the 
King  of  Northgalis,  that  should  be  upon  All  Hallowmass 
Day,  beside  Winchester.  Is  that  truth  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot; 
then  shall  ye  abide  with  me  still  a  little  while  until  that  I 
be  whole,  for  I  feel  myself  right  big  and  strong.  Blessed 
be  God,  said  Sir  Bors.  Then  were  they  there  nigh  a  month 
together,  and  ever  this  maiden  Elaine  did  ever  her  diligent 
labour  night  and  day  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  that  there  was 
never  child  nor  wife  more  meeker  to  her  father  and  husband 
than  was  that  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat ;  wherefore  Sir  Bors 
was  greatly  pleased  with  her. 

So  upon  a  day,  by  the  assent  of  Sir  Launcelot,  Sir  Bors, 
and  Sir  Lavaine,  they  made  the  hermit  to  seek  in  woods 
for  divers  herbs,  and  so  Sir  Launcelot  made  fair  Elaine  to 
gather  herbs  for  him  to  make  him  a  bain.  In  the  mean- 
while Sir  Launcelot  made  him  to  arm  him  at  all  pieces  ; 
and  there  he  thought  to  assay  his  armour  and  his  spear,  for 
his  hurt  or  not.  And  so  when  he  was  upon  his  horse  he 
stirred  him  fiercely,  and  the  horse  was  passing  lusty  and 
fresh  because  he  was  not  laboured  a  month  afore.  And 
then  Sir  Launcelot  couched  that  spear  in  the  rest.  That 
courser  leapt  mightily  when  he  felt  the  spurs  ;  and  he  that 
was  upon  him,  the  which  was  the  noblest  horse  of  the  world, 
strained  him  mightily  and  stably,  and  kept  still  the  spear 
in  the  rest ;  and  therewith  Sir  Launcelot  strained  himself 
so  straitly,  with  so  great  force,  to  get  the  horse  forward, 
that  the  button  of  his  wound  brast  both  within  and  with- 
out ;  and  therewithal  the  blood  came  out  so  fiercely  that 
he  felt  himself  so  feeble  that  he  might  not  sit  upon  his 
horse.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  cried  unto  Sir  Bors  :  Ah, 
Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Lavaine,  help,  for  I  am  come  to  mine  end. 


CHAP,  xvn     OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT'S  WOUND  387 

And  therewith  he  fell  down  on  the  one  side  to  the  earth 
like  a  dead  corpse.  And  then  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Lavaine 
came  to  him  with  sorrow-making  out  of  measure.  And 
so  by  fortune  the  maiden  Elaine  heard  their  mourning,  and 
then  she  came  thither  ;  and  when  she  found  Sir  Laimcelot 
there  armed  in  that  place  she  cried  and  wept  as  she  had 
been  wood  ;  and  then  she  kissed  him,  and  did  what  she 
might  to  awake  him.  And  then  she  rebuked  her  brother 
and  Sir  Bors,  and  called  them  false  traitors,  why  they  would 
take  him  out  of  his  bed  ;  there  she  cried,  and  said  she  would 
appeal  them  of  his  death. 

With  this  came  the  holy  hermit,  Sir  Baudwin  of  Brit- 
tany, and  when  he  found  Sir  Launcelot  in  that  plight  he 
said  but  little,  but  wit  ye  well  he  was  wroth  ;  and  then  he 
bade  them  :  Let  us  have  him  in.  And  so  they  all  bare  him 
unto  the  hermitage,  and  unarmed  him,  and  laid  him  in  his 
bed  ;  and  evermore  his  wound  bled  piteously,  but  he  stirred 
no  limb  of  him.  Then  the  knight-hermit  put  a  thing  in 
his  nose  and  a  little  deal  of  water  in  his  mouth.  And  then 
Sir  Launcelot  waked  of  his  swoon,  and  then  the  hermit 
staunched  his  bleeding.  And  when  he  might  speak  he 
asked  Sir  Launcelot  why  he  put  his  life  in  jeopardy.  Sir, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  because  I  weened  I  had  been  strong,  and 
also  Sir  Bors  told  me  that  there  should  be  at  All  Hallow- 
mass  a  great  jousts  betwixt  King  Arthur  and  the  King  of 
Northgalis,  and  therefore  I  thought  to  assay  it  myself, 
whether  I  might  be  there  or  not.  Ah,  Sir  Launcelot,  said 
the  hermit,  your  heart  and  your  courage  will  never  be  done 
until  your  last  day,  but  ye  shall  do  now  by  my  counsel. 
Let  Sir  Bors  depart  from  you,  and  let  him  do  at  that 
tournament  what  he  may  :  And  by  the  grace  of  God,  said 
the  knight-hermit,  by  that  the  tournament  be  done  and  ye 
come  hither  again,  Sir  Launcelot  shall  be  as  whole  as  ye,  so 
that  he  will  be  governed  by  me. 


388  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

How  Sir  Bors  returned  and  told  tidings  of  Sir  Launcelot ; 
and  of  the  tourney,  and  to  whom  the  prize  was  given. 

THEN  Sir  Bors  made  him  ready  to  depart  from  Sir  Launce- 
lot ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  said  :  Fair  cousin,  Sir  Bors, 
recommend  me  unto  all  them  unto  whom  me  ought  to 
recommend  me  unto.  And  I  pray  you,  enforce  yourself 
at  that  jousts  that  ye  may  be  best,  for  my  love  ;  and  here 
shall  I  abide  you  at  the  mercy  of  God  till  ye  come  again. 
And  so  Sir  Bors  departed  and  came  to  the  court  of  King 
Arthur,  and  told  them  in  what  place  he  had  left  Sir  Launce- 
lot. That  me  repenteth,  said  the  king,  but  since  he  shall 
have  his  life  we  all  may  thank  God.  And  there  Sir  Bors 
told  the  queen  in  what  jeopardy  Sir  Launcelot  was  when 
he  would  assay  his  horse.  And  all  that  he  did,  madam, 
was  for  the  love  of  you,  because  he  would  have  been  at  this 
tournament.  Fie  on  him,  recreant  knight,  said  the  queen, 
for  wit  ye  well  I  am  right  sorry  an  he  shall  have  his  life. 
His  life  shall  he  have,  said  Sir  Bors,  and  who  that  would 
otherwise,  except  you,  madam,  we  that  be  of  his  blood 
should  help  to  short  their  lives.  But  madam,  said  Sir  Bors, 
ye  have  been  oft-times  displeased  with  my  lord,  Sir  Launce- 
lot, but  at  all  times  at  the  end  ye  find  him  a  true  knight  : 
and  so  he  departed. 

And  then  every  knight  of  the  Round  Table  that  were 
there  at  that  time  present  made  them  ready  to  be  at  that 
jousts  at  All  Hallo wmass,  and  thither  drew  many  knights 
of  divers  countries.  And  as  All  Hallowmass  drew  near, 
thither  came  the  King  of  Northgalis,  and  the  King  with 
the  Hundred  Knights,  and  Sir  Galahad,  the  haut  prince,  of 
Surluse,  and  thither  came  King  Anguish  of  Ireland,  and  the 
King  of  Scots.  So  these  three  kings  came  on  King  Arthur's 
party.  And  so  that  day  Sir  Gawaine  did  great  deeds  of 
arms,  and  began  first.  And  the  heralds  numbered  that  Sir 
Gawaine  smote  down  twenty  knights.  Then  Sir  Bors  de 


CHAP,  xvm      HOW  SIR  BORS  RETURNED  389 

Ganis  came  in  the  same  time,  and  he  was  numbered  that 
he  smote  down  twenty  knights  ;  and  therefore  the  prize 
was  given  betwixt  them  both,  for  they  began  first  and 
longest  endured.  Also  Sir  Gareth,  as  the  book  saith,  did 
that  day  great  deeds  of  arms,  for  he  smote  down  and  pulled 
down  thirty  knights.  But  when  he  had  done  these  deeds 
he  tarried  not  but  so  departed,  and  therefore  he  lost  his 
prize.  And  Sir  Palomides  did  great  deeds  of  arms  that 
day,  for  he  smote  down  twenty  knights,  but  he  departed 
suddenly,  and  men  deemed  Sir  Gareth  and  he  rode  together 
to  some  manner  adventures. 

So  when  this  tournament  was  done  Sir  Bors  departed, 
and  rode  till  he  came  to  Sir  Launcelot,  his  cousin  ;  and 
then  he  found  him  walking  on  his  feet,  and  there  either 
made  great  joy  of  other  ;  and  so  Sir  Bors  told  Sir  Launcelot 
of  all  the  jousts  like  as  ye  have  heard.  I  marvel,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  that  Sir  Gareth,  when  he  had  done  such  deeds 
of  arms,  that  he  would  not  tarry.  Thereof  we  marvelled 
all,  said  Sir  Bors,  for  but  if  it  were  you,  or  Sir  Tristram,  or 
Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis,  I  saw  never  knight  bear  down  so 
many  in  so  little  a  while  as  did  Sir  Gareth  :  and  anon  he 
was  gone  we  wist  not  where.  By  my  head,  said  Sir  Launce- 
lot, he  is  a  noble  knight,  and  a  mighty  man  and  well 
breathed ;  and  if  he  were  well  assayed,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  would  deem  he  were  good  enough  for  any  knight  that 
beareth  the  life  ;  and  he  is  a  gentle  knight,  courteous,  true, 
and  bounteous,  meek,  and  mild,  and  in  him  is  no  manner 
of  mal  engin,  but  plain,  faithful,  and  true. 

So  then  they  made  them  ready  to  depart  from  the 
hermit.  And  so  upon  a  morn  they  took  their  horses  and 
Elaine  le  Blank  with  them  ;  and  when  they  came  to  Astolat 
there  were  they  well  lodged,  and  had  great  cheer  of  Sir 
Bernard,  the  old  baron,  and  of  Sir  Tirre,  his  son.  And  so 
upon  the  morn  when  Sir  Launcelot  should  depart,  fair 
Elaine  brought  her  father  with  her,  and  Sir  Lavaine,  and 
Sir  Tirre,  and  thus  she  said  : 


390  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvni 


CHAPTER   XIX 

Of  the  great  lamentation  of  the  Fair  Maid  of  Astolat  when 
Launcelot  should  depart,  and  how  she  died  for  his  love. 

MY  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  now  I  see  ye  will  depart ;  now  fair 
knight  and  courteous  knight,  have  mercy  upon  me,  and 
suffer  me  not  to  die  for  thy  love.  What  would  ye  that  I 
did  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot.  I  would  have  you  to  my  husband, 
said  Elaine.  Fair  damosel,  I  thank  you,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
but  truly,  said  he,  I_cast  me  never  to  be  wedded  man. 
Then,  fair  knight,  said  she,  will  ye  be  my  paramour  ?  Jesu 
defend  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  then  I  rewarded  your 
father  and  your  brother  full  evil  for  their  great  goodness. 
Alas,  said  she,  then  must  I  die  for  your  love.  Ye  shall  not 
so,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  wit  ye  well,  fair  maiden,  I  might 
have  been  married  an  I  had  would,  but  I  never  applied  me 
to  be  married  yet ;  but  because,  fair  damosel,  that  ye  love 
me  as  ye  say  ye  do,  I  will  for  your  good  will  and  kindness 
show  you  some  goodness,  and  that  is  this,  that  wheresom- 
ever  ye  will  beset  your  heart  upon  some  good  knight  that 
will  wed  you,  I  shall  give  you  together  a  thousand  pound 
yearly  to  you  and  to  your  heirs  ;  thus  much  will  I  give  you, 
fair  madam,  for  your  kindness,  and  always  while  I  live  to 
be  your  own  knight.  Of  all  this,  said  the  maiden,  I  will 
none,  for  but  if  ye  will  wed  me,  or  else  be  my  paramour  at 
the  least,  wit  you  well,  Sir  Launcelot,  my  good  days  are 
done.  Fair  damosel,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  of  these  two  things 
ye  must  pardon  me. 

Then  she  shrieked  shrilly,  and  fell  down  in  a  swoon  ; 
and  then  women  bare  her  into  her  chamber,  and  there  she 
made  over  much  sorrow  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  would 
depart,  and  there  he  asked  Sir  Lavaine  what  he  would  do. 
What  should  I  do,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  but  follow  you,  but 
if  ye  drive  me  from  you,  or  command  me  to  go  from  you. 
Then  came  Sir  Bernard  to  Sir  Launcelot  and  said  to  him  : 
I  cannot  see  but  that  my  daughter  Elaine  will  die  for  your 


CH.  xix   HOW  THE  MAID  OF  ASTOLAT  DIED     391 

sake.  I  may  not  do  withal,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  that 
me  sore  repenteth,  for  I  report  me  to  yourself,  that  my 
proffer  is  fair  ;  and  me  repenteth,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that 
she  loveth  me  as  she  doth  ;  I  was  never  the  causer  of  it, 
for  I  report  me  to  your  son  I  early  ne  late  proffered  her 
bounte  nor  fair  behests ;  and  as  for  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  dare  do  all  that  a  knight  should  do  that  she  is  a  clean 
maiden  for  me,  both  for  deed  and  for  will.  Arid "~I~  am 
right  heavy  of  her  distress,  for  she  is  a  full  fair  maiden, 
good  and  gentle,  and  well  taught.  Father,  said  Sir 
Lavaine,  I  dare  make  good  she  is  a  clean  maiden  as  for  my 
lord  Sir  Launcelot ;  but  she  doth  as  I  do,  for  sithen  I  first 
saw  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  I  could  never  depart  from  him, 
nor  nought  I  will  an  I  may  follow  him. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  took  his  leave,  and  so  they  de- 
parted, and  came  unto  Winchester.  And  when  Arthur 
wist  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  come  whole  and  sound  the 
king  made  great  joy  of  him,  and  so  did  Sir  Gawaine  and 
all  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table  except  Sir  Agravaine 
and  Sir  Mordred.  Also  Queen  Guenever  was  wood  wroth 
with  Sir  Launcelot,  and  would  by  no  means  speak  with 
him,  but  estranged  herself  from  him  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot 
made  all  the  means  that  he  might  for  to  speak  with  the 
queen,  but  it  would  not  be. 

Now  speak  we  of  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat  that 
made  such  sorrow  day  and  night  that  she  never  slept,  ate, 
nor  drank,  and  ever  she  made  her  complaint  unto  Sir 
Launcelot.  So  when  she  had  thus  endured  a  ten  days,  that 
she  feebled  so  that  she  must  needs  pass  out  of  this  world, 
then  she  shrived  her  clean,  and  received  her  Creator.  And 
ever  she  complained  still  upon  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  her 
ghostly  father  bade  her  leave  such  thoughts.  Then  she 
said,  why  should  I  leave  such  thoughts  ?  Am  I  not  an 
earthly  woman  ?  And  all  the  while  the  breath  is  in  my 
body  I  may  complain  me,  for  my  belief  is  I  do  none  offence 
though  I  love  an  earthly  man  ;  and  I  take  God  to  my 
record  I  loved  never  none  but  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  nor 
never  shall,  and  a  clean  maiden  I  am  for  him  and  for  all 
other ;  and  sithen  it  is  the  sufferance  of  God  that  I  shall 


392  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

die  for  the  love  of  so  noble  a  knight,  I  beseech  the  High 
Father  of  Heaven  to  have  mercy  upon  my  soul,  and  upon 
mine  innumerable  pains  that  I  suffered  may  be  allegeance 
of  part  of  my  sins.  For  sweet  Lord  Jesu,  said  the  fair 
maiden,  I  take  Thee  to  record,  on  Thee  I  was  never  great 
offencer  against  thy  laws  ;  but  that  I  loved  this  noble 
knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  out  of  measure,  and  of  myself,  good 
Lord,  I  might  not  withstand  the  fervent  love  wherefore  1 
have  my  death. 

And  then  she  called  her  father,  Sir  Bernard,  and  her 
brother,  Sir  Tirre,  and  heartily  she  prayed  her  father  that 
her  brother  might  write  a  letter  like  as  she  did  indite  it : 
and  so  her  father  granted  her.  And  when  the  letter  was 
written  word  by  word  like  as  she  devised,  then  she  prayed 
her  father  that  she  might  be  watched  until  she  were  dead. 
And  while  my  body  is  hot  let  this  letter  be  put  in  my  right 
hand,  and  my  hand  bound  fast  with  the  letter  until  that  I 
be  cold  ;  and  let  me  be  put  in  a  fair  bed  with  all  the  richest 
clothes  that  I  have  about  me,  and  so  let  my  bed  and  all 
my  richest  clothes  be  laid  with  me  in  a  chariot  unto  the 
next  place  where  Thames  is  ;  and  there  let  me  be  put 
within  a  barget,  and  but  one  man  with  me,  such  as  ye  trust 
to  steer  me  thither,  and  that  my  barget  be  covered  with 
black  samite  over  and  over  :  thus  father  I  beseech  you  let 
it  be  done.  So  her  father  granted  it  her  faithfully,  all 
things  should  be  done  like  as  she  had  devised.  Then  her 
father  and  her  brother  made  great  dole,  for  when  this  was 
done  anon  she  died.  And  so  when  she  was  dead  the  corpse 
and  the  bed  all  was  led  the  next  way  unto  Thames,  and 
there  a  man,  and  the  corpse,  and  all,  were  put  into  Thames  ; 
and  so  the  man  steered  the  barget  unto  Westminster,  and 
there  he  rowed  a  great  while  to  and  fro  or  any  espied  it. 


CH.  xx      OF  ARTHUR  AND  THE  DEAD  MAID       393 


CHAPTER   XX 

How  the  corpse  of  the  Maid  of  Astolat  arrived  to-fore  King 
Arthur,  and  of  the  burying,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot 
offered  the  mass-penny. 

So  by  fortune  King  Arthur  and  the  Queen  Guenever  were 
speaking  together  at  a  window,  and  so  as  they  looked  into 
Thames  they  espied  this  black  barget,  and  had  marvel 
what  it  meant.  Then  the  king  called  Sir  Kay,  and  showed 
it  him.  Sir,  said  Sir  Kay,  wit  you  well  there  is  some  new 
tidings.  Go  thither,  said  the  king  to  Sir  Kay,  and  take 
with  you  Sir  Brandiles  and  Agravaine,  and  bring  me  ready 
word  what  is  there.  Then  these  four  knights  departed 
and  came  to  the  barget  and  went  in  ;  and  there  they  found 
the  fairest  corpse  lying  in  a  rich  bed,  and  a  poor  man 
sitting  in  the  barget's  end,  and  no  word  would  he  speak. 
So  these  four  knights  returned  unto  the  king  again,  and 
told  him  what  they  found.  That  fair  corpse  will  I  see, 
said  the  king.  And  so  then  the  king  took  the  queen  by 
the  hand,  and  went  thither. 

Then  the  king  made  the  barget  to  be  holden  fast, 
and  then  the  king  and  the  queen  entered  with  certain 
knights  with  them  ;  and  there  he  saw  the  fairest  woman 
lie  in  a  rich  bed,  covered  unto  her  middle  with  many 
rich  clothes,  and  all  was  of  cloth  of  gold,  and  she  lay  as 
though  she  had  smiled.  Then  the  queen  espied  a  letter 
in  her  right  hand,  and  told  it  to  the  king.  Then  the  king 
took  it  and  said  :  Now  am  I  sure  this  letter  will  tell  what 
she  was,  and  why  she  is  come  hither.  So  then  the  king 
and  the  queen  went  out  of  the  barget,  and  so  commanded 
a  certain  man  to  wait  upon  the  barget. 

And  so  when  the  king  was  come  within  his  chamber, 
he  called  many  knights  about  him,  and  said  that  he  would 
wit  openly  what  was  written  within  that  letter.  Then  the 
king  brake  it,  and  made  a  clerk  to  read  it,  and  this  was 
the  intent  of  the  letter.  Most  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot, 


394  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvin 

now  hath  death  made  us  two  at  debate  for  your  love.  I 
was  your  lover,  that  men  called  the  Fair  Maiden  of 
Astolat ;  therefore  unto  all  ladies  I  make  my  moan,  yet 
pray  for  my  soul  and  bury  me  at  least,  and  offer  ye  my 
mass-penny  :  this  is  my  last  request.  And  a  clean  maiden 
I  died,  I  take  God  to  witness  :  pray  for  my  soul,  Sir 
Launcelot,  as  thou  art  peerless.  This  was  all  the  substance 
in  the  letter.  And  when  it  was  read,  the  king,  the  queen, 
and  all  the  knights  wept  for  pity  of  the  doleful  complaints. 
Then  was  Sir  Launcelot  sent  for  ;  and  when  he  was  come 
King  Arthur  made  the  letter  to  be  read  to  him. 

And  when  Sir  Launcelot  heard  it  word  by  word,  he 
said  :  My  lord  Arthur,  wit  ye  well  I  am  right  heavy  of 
the  death  of  this  fair  damosel :  God  knoweth  I  was  never 
causer  of  her  death  by  my  willing,  and  that  will  I  report 
me  to  her  own  brother  :  here  he  is,  Sir  Lavaine.  I  will 
not  say  nay,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  but  that  she  was  both  fair 
and  good,  and  much  I  was  beholden  unto  her,  but  she 
loved  me  out  of  measure.  Ye  might  have  shewed  her,  said 
the  queen,  some  bounty  and  gentleness  that  might  have 
preserved  her  life.  Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  she  would 
none  other  ways  be  answered  but  that  she  would  be  my 
wife,  outher  else  my  paramour  ;  and  of  these  two  I  would 
not  grant  her,  but  I  proffered  her,  for  her  good  love  that 
she  shewed  me,  a  thousand  pound  yearly  to  her,  and  to  her 
heirs,  and  to  wed  any  manner  knight  that  she  could  find 
best  to  love  in  her  heart.  For  madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  love  not  to  be  constrained  to  love ;  for  love  must  arise 
of  the  heart,  and  not  by  no  constraint.  That  is  truth, 
said  the  king,  and  many  knight's  love  is  free  in  him- 
self, and  never  will  be  bounden,  for  where  he  is  bounden 
he  looseth  himself. 

Then  said  the  king  unto  Sir  Launcelot :  It  will  be 
your  worship  that  ye  oversee  that  she  be  interred  worship- 
fully.  Sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  shall  be  done  as  I  can 
best  devise.  And  so  many  knights  yede  thither  to  behold 
that  fair  maiden.  And  so  upon  the  morn  she  was  interred 
richly,  and  Sir  Launcelot  offered  her  mass-penny  ;  and  all 
the  knights  of  the  Table  Round  that  were  there  at  that 


CH.XXI    OF  GREAT  JOUSTS  AT  CHRISTMAS        395 

time  offered  with  Sir  Launcelot.  And  then  the  poor  man 
went  again  with  the  barget.  Then  the  queen  sent  for  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  prayed  him  of  mercy,  for  why  that  she  had 
been  wroth  with  him  causeless.  This  is  not  the  first  time, 
sauT  15Ir  Launcelot,  that  ye  had  been  displeased  with  me 
causeless,  but,  madam,  ever  I  must  suffer  you,  but  what 
sorrow  I  endure  I  take  no  force.  So  this  passed  on  all 
that  winter,  with  all  manner  of  hunting  and  hawking,  and 
jousts  and  tourneys  were  many  betwixt  many  great  lords, 
and  ever  in  all  places  Sir  Lavaine  gat  great  worship,  so 
that  he  was  nobly  renowned  among  many  knights  of  the 
Table  Round. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

Of  great  jousts  done  all  a  Christmas,  and  of  a  great  jousts  and 
tourney  ordained  by  King  Arthur ',  and  of  Sir  Launcelot. 

THUS  it  passed  on  till  Christmas,  and  then  every  day 
there  was  jousts  made  for  a  diamond,  who  that  jousted 
best  should  have  a  diamond.  But  Sir  Launcelot  would 
not  joust  but  if  it  were  at  a  great  jousts  cried.  But  Sir 
Lavaine  jousted  there  all  that  Christmas  passingly  well, 
and  best  was  praised,  for  there  were  but  few  that  did  so 
well.  Wherefore  all  manner  of  knights  deemed  that  Sir 
Lavaine  should  be  made  knight  of  the  Table  Round  at 
the  next  feast  of  Pentecost.  So  at-after  Christmas  King 
Arthur  let  call  unto  him  many  knights,  and  there  they 
advised  together  to  make  a  party  and  a  great  tournament 
and  jousts.  And  the  King  of  Northgalis  said  to  Arthur, 
he  would  have  on  his  party  King  Anguish  of  Ireland,  and 
the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights,  and  the  King  of 
Northumberland,  and  Sir  Galahad,  the  haut  prince.  And 
so  these  four  kings  and  this  mighty  duke  took  part  against 
King  Arthur  and  the  knights  of  the  Table  Round.  And 
the  cry  was  made  that  the  day  of  the  jousts  should  be 
beside  Westminster  upon  Candlemas  Day,  whereof  many 


396  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

knights  were  glad,  and  made  them  ready  to  be  at  that 
jousts  in  the  freshest  manner. 

Then  Queen  Guenever  sent  for  Sir  Launcelot,  and  said 
thus  :  I  warn  you  that  ye  ride  no  more  in  no  jousts  nor 
tournaments  but  that  your  kinsmen  may  know  you.  And 
at  these  jousts  that  shall  be  ye  shall  have  of  me  a  sleeve  of 
gold  ;  and  I  pray  you  for  my  sake  enforce  yourself  there, 
that  men  may  speak  of  you  worship;  but  I  charge  you  as 
ye  will  have  my  love,  that  ye  warn  your  kinsmen  that  ye 
will  bear  that  day  the  sleeve  of  gold  upon  your  helmet. 
Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  it  shall  be  done.  And  so 
either  made  great  joy  of  other.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  his  time  he  told  Sir  Bors  that  he  would  depart,  and 
have  no  more  with  him  but  Sir  Lavaine,  unto  the  good 
hermit  that  dwelt  in  that  forest  of  Windsor  ;  his  name 
was  Sir  Brasias  ;  and  there  he  thought  to  repose  him,  and 
take  all  the  rest  that  he  might,  because  he  would  be  fresh 
at  that  day  of  jousts. 

So  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Lavaine  departed,  that  no 
creature  wist  where  he  was  become,  but  the  noble  men  of 
his  blood.  And  when  he  was  come  to  the  hermitage,  wit 
ye  well  he  had  good  cheer.  And  so  daily  Sir  Launcelot 
would  go  to  a  well  fast  by  the  hermitage,  and  there  he 
would  lie  down,  and  see  the  well  spring  and  burble,  and 
sometime  he  slept  there.  So  at  that  time  there  was  a  lady 
dwelt  in  that  forest,  and  she  was  a  great  huntress,  and 
daily  she  used  to  hunt,  and  ever  she  bare  her  bow  with 
her  ;  and  no  men  went  never  with  her,  but  always  women, 
and  they  were  shooters,  and  could  well  kill  a  deer,  both  at 
the  stalk  and  at  the  trest ;  and  they  daily  bare  bows  and 
arrows,  horns  and  wood-knives,  and  many  good  dogs  they 
had,  both  for  the  string  and  for  a  bait.  So  it  happed  this 
lady  the  huntress  had  abated  her  dog  for  the  bow  at  a 
barren  hind,  and  so  this  barren  hind  took  the  flight  over 
hedges  and  woods.  And  ever  this  lady  and  part  of  her 
women  costed  the  hind,  and  checked  it  by  the  noise  of 
the  hounds,  to  have  met  with  the  hind  at  some  water  ; 
and  so  it  happed,  the  hind  came  to  the  well  whereas  Sir 
Launcelot  was  sleeping  and  slumbering.  And  so  when 


CHAP,  xxn    HOW  LAUNCELOT  WAS  HURT  397 

the  hind  came  to  the  well,  for  heat  she  went  to  soil,  and 
there  she  lay  a  great  while  ;  and  the  dog  came  after,  and 
umbecast  about,  for  she  had  lost  the  very  perfect  feute  of 
the  hind.  Right  so  came  that  lady  the  huntress,  that 
knew  by  the  dog  that  she  had,  that  the  hind  was  at  the 
soil  in  that  well ;  and  there  she  came  stiffly  and  found  the 
hind,  and  she  put  a  broad  arrow  in  her  bow,  and  shot  at 
the  hind,  and  over-shot  the  hind  ;  and  so  by  misfortune 
the  arrow  smote  Sir  Launcelot  in  the  thick  of  the  buttock, 
over  the  barbs.  When  Sir  Launcelot  felt  himself  so  hurt, 
he  hurled  up  woodly,  and  saw  the  lady  that  had  smitten 
him.  And  when  he  saw  she  was  a  woman,  he  said  thus  : 
Lady  or  damosel,  what  that  thou  be,  in  an  evil  time  bear 
ye  a  bow  ;  the  devil  made  you  a  shooter. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

How  Launcelot  after  that  he  was  hurt  of  a  gentlewoman 
came  to  an  hermit^  and  of  other  matters. 

Now  mercy,  fair  sir,  said  the  lady,  I  am  a  gentlewoman 
that  useth  here  in  this  forest  hunting,  and  God  knoweth  I 
saw  ye  not ;  but  as  here  was  a  barren  hind  at  the  soil  in 
this  well,  and  I  weened  to  have  done  well,  but  my  hand 
swerved.  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  have  mischieved 
me.  And  so  the  lady  departed,  and  Sir  Launcelot  as  he 
might  pulled  out  the  arrow,  and  left  that  head  still  in  his 
buttock,  and  so  he  went  weakly  to  the  hermitage  ever 
more  bleeding  as  he  went.  And  when  Sir  Lavaine  and 
the  hermit  espied  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  hurt,  wit  you 
well  they  were  passing  heavy,  but  Sir  Lavaine  wist  not 
how  that  he  was  hurt  nor  by  whom.  And  then  were  they 
wroth  out  of  measure. 

Then  with  great  pain  the  hermit  gat  out  the  arrow's 
head  out  of  Sir  Launcelot's  buttock,  and  much  of  his  blood 
he  shed,  and  the  wound  was  passing  sore,  and  unhappily 
smitten,  for  it  was  in  such  a  place  that  he  might  not  sit  in 


398  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

no  saddle.  Have  mercy,  Jesu,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  may 
call  myself  the  most  unhappiest  man  that  liveth,  for  ever 
when  I  would  fainest  have  worship  there  befalleth  me 
ever  some  unhappy  thing.  Now  so  Jesu  me  help,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  if  no  man  would  but  God,  I  shall  be  in  the 
field  upon  Candlemas  Day  at  the  jousts,  whatsomever  fall 
of  it :  so  all  that  might  be  gotten  to  heal  Sir  Launcelot 
was  had. 

So  when  the  day  was  come  Sir  Launcelot  let  devise 
that  he  was  arrayed,  and  Sir  Lavaine,  and  their  horses,  as 
though  they  had  been  Saracens  ;  and  so  they  departed  and 
came  nigh  to  the  field.  The  King  of  Northgalis  with  an 
hundred  knights  with  him,  and  the  King  of  Northumber- 
land brought  with  him  an  hundred  good  knights,  and 
King  Anguish  of  Ireland  brought  with  him  an  hundred 
good  knights  ready  to  joust,  and  Sir  Galahad,  the  haut 
prince,  brought  with  him  an  hundred  good  knights,  and 
the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights  brought  with  him 
as  many,  and  all  these  were  proved  good  knights.  Then 
came  in  King  Arthur's  party  ;  and  there  came  in  the 
King  of  Scots  with  an  hundred  knights,  and  King  Uriens 
of  Gore  brought  with  him  an  hundred  knights,  and  King 
Howel  of  Brittany  brought  with  him  an  hundred  knights, 
and  Chaleins  of  Clarance  brought  with  him  an  hundred 
knights,  and  King  Arthur  himself  came  into  the  field 
with  two  hundred  knights,  and  the  most  part  were 
knights  of  the  Table  Round,  that  were  proved  noble 
knights ;  and  there  were  old  knights  set  in  scaffolds  for 
to  judge,  with  the  queen,  who  did  best. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  behaved  him  at  the  jousts,  and 
other  men  also. 

THEN   they  blew  to  the  field  ;   and  there  the  King  of 
Northgalis  encountered  with  the  King  of  Scots,  and  there 


CH.  xxin  OF  THE  JOUSTS  AT  CANDLEMAS  399 

the  King  of  Scots  had  a  fall ;  and  the  King  of  Ireland 
smote  down  King  Uriens  ;  and  the  King  of  Northumber- 
land smote  down  King  Howel  of  Brittany  ;  and  Sir  Gala- 
had, the  haut  prince,  smote  down  Chaleins  of  Clarance. 
And  then  King  Arthur  was  wood  wroth,  and  ran  to  the 
King  with  the  Hundred  Knights,  and  there  King  Arthur 
smote  him  down  ;  and  after  with  that  same  spear  King 
Arthur  smote  down  three  other  knights.  And  then  when 
his  spear  was  broken  King  Arthur  did  passingly  well ;  and 
so  therewithal  came  in  Sir  Gawaine  and  Sir  Gaheris,  Sir 
Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred,  and  there  everych  of  them 
smote  down  a  knight,  and  Sir  Gawaine  smote  down  four 
knights  ;  and  then  there  began  a  strong  medley,  for  then 
there  came  in  the  knights  of  Launcelot's  blood,  and  Sir 
Gareth  and  Sir  Palomides  with  them,  and  many  knights 
of  the  Table  Round,  and  they  began  to  hold  the  four 
kings  and  the  mighty  duke  so  hard  that  they  were  dis- 
comfit ;  but  this  Duke  Galahad,  the  haut  prince,  was  a 
noble  knight,  and  by  his  mighty  prowess  of  arms  he  held 
the  knights  of  the  Table  Round  strait  enough. 

All  this  doing  saw  Sir  Launcelot,  and  then  he  came 
into  the  field  with  Sir  Lavaine  as  it  had  been  thunder. 
And  then  anon  Sir  Bors  and  the  knights  of  his  blood 
espied  Sir  Launcelot,  and  said  to  them  all :  I  warn  you 
beware  of  him  with  the  sleeve  of  gold  upon  his  head,  for 
he  is  himself  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  ;  and  for  great  good- 
ness Sir  Bors  warned  Sir  Gareth.  I  am  well  apaid,  said 
Sir  Gareth,  that  I  may  know  him.  But  who  is  he,  said 
they  all,  that  rideth  with  him  in  the  same  array  ?  That  is 
the  good  and  gentle  knight  Sir  Lavaine,  said  Sir  Bors.  So 
Sir  Launcelot  encountered  with  Sir  Gawaine,  and  there  by 
force  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  horse 
to  the  earth,  and  so  he  smote  down  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir 
Gaheris,  and  also  he  smote  down  Sir  Mordred,  and  all  this 
was  with  one  spear.  Then  Sir  Lavaine  met  with  Sir 
Palomides,  and  either  met  other  so  hard  and  so  fiercely 
that  both  their  horses  fell  to  the  earth.  And  then  were 
they  horsed  again,  and  then  met  Sir  Launcelot  with  Sir 
Palomides,  and  there  Sir  Palomides  had  a  fall ;  and  so  Sir 


400  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

Launcelot  or  ever  he  stint,  as  fast  as  he  might  get  spears, 
he  smote  down  thirty  knights,  and  the  most  part  of  them 
were  knights  of  the  Table  Round  ;  and  ever  the  knights 
of  his  blood  withdrew  them,  and  made  them  ado  in  other 
places  where  Sir  Launcelot  came  not. 

And  then  King  Arthur  was  wroth  when  he  saw  Sir 
Launcelot  do  such  deeds  ;  and  then  the  king  called  untc 
him  Sir  Gawaine,  Sir  Mordred,  Sir  Kay,  Sir  Griflet,  Sir 
Lucan  the  Butler,  Sir  Bedivere,  Sir  Palomides,  Sir  Safere, 
his  brother ;  and  so  the  king  with  these  nine  knights 
made  them  ready  to  set  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and  upon  Sir 
Lavaine.  All  this  espied  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Gareth.  Now 
I  dread  me  sore,  said  Sir  Bors,  that  my  lord,  Sir  Launce- 
lot, will  be  hard  matched.  By  my  head,  said  Sir  Gareth, 
I  will  ride  unto  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  for  to  help  him, 
fall  of  him  what  fall  may,  for  he  is  the  same  man  that 
made  me  knight.  Ye  shall  not  so,  said  Sir  Bors,  by  my 
counsel,  unless  that  ye  were  disguised.  Ye  shall  see  me 
disguised,  said  Sir  Gareth  ;  and  therewithal  he  espied  a 
Welsh  knight  where  he  was  to  repose  him,  and  he  was 
sore  hurt  afore  by  Sir  Gawaine,  and  to  him  Sir  Gareth 
rode,  and  prayed  him  of  his  knighthood  to  lend  him  his 
shield  for  his.  I  will  well,  said  the  Welsh  knight.  And 
when  Sir  Gareth  had  his  shield,  the  book  saith  it  was 
green,  with  a  maiden  that  seemed  in  it. 

Then  Sir  Gareth  came  driving  to  Sir  Launcelot  all 
that  he  might  and  said  :  Knight,  keep  thyself,  for  yonder 
cometh  King  Arthur  with  nine  noble  knights  with  him 
to  put  you  to  a  rebuke,  and  so  I  am  come  to  bear  you 
fellowship  for  old  love  ye  have  shewed  me.  Gramercy, 
said  Sir  Launcelot.  Sir,  said  Sir  Gareth,  encounter  ye 
with  Sir  Gawaine,  and  I  shall  encounter  with  Sir  Palo- 
mides ;  and  let  Sir  Lavaine  match  with  the  noble  King 
Arthur.  And  when  we  have  delivered  them,  let  us  three 
hold  us  sadly  together.  Then  came  King  Arthur  with 
his  nine  knights  with  him,  and  Sir  Launcelot  encountered 
with  Sir  Gawaine,  and  gave  him  such  a  buffet  that  the 
arson  of  his  saddle  brast,  and  Sir  Gawaine  fell  to  the 
earth.  Then  Sir  Gareth  encountered  with  the  good 


"  She  was  a  great  huntress  and  daily  she  used  to  hunt,  and  ever  she  bare  her  bow 
with  her."— Book  XVIII.,  Chapter  XXI. 


CH.  xxiv      OF  ARTHUR  AND  THE  JOUSTS  401 

knight  Sir  Palomides,  and  he  gave  him  such  a  buffet  that 
both  his  horse  and  he  dashed  to  the  earth.  Then  encoun- 
tered King  Arthur  with  Sir  Lavaine,  and  there  either  of 
them  smote  other  to  the  earth,  horse  and  all,  that  they 
lay  a  great  while.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down  Sir 
Agravaine,  and  Sir  Gaheris,  and  Sir  Mordred  ;  and  Sir 
Gareth  smote  down  Sir  Kay,  and  Sir  Safere,  and  Sir 
Griflet.  And  then  Sir  Lavaine  was  horsed  again,  and  he 
smote  down  Sir  Lucan  the  Butler  and  Sir  Bedevere ;  and 
then  there  began  great  throng  of  good  knights. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  hurtled  here  and  there,  and  raced 
and  pulled  off  helms,  so  that  at  that  time  there  might 
none  sit  him  a  buffet  with  spear  nor  with  sword  ;  and  Sir 
Gareth  did  such  deeds  of  arms  that  all  men  marvelled 
what  knight  he  was  with  the  green  shield,  for  he  smote 
down  that  day  and  pulled  down  mo  than  thirty  knights. 
And,  as  the  French  book  saith,  Sir  Launcelot  marvelled, 
when  he  beheld  Sir  Gareth  do  such  deeds,  what  knight  he 
might  be ;  and  Sir  Lavaine  pulled  down  and  smote  down 
twenty  knights.  Also  Sir  Launcelot  knew  not  Sir  Gareth, 
for  an  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones,  outher  Sir  Lamorak  de 
Galis  had  been  alive,  Sir  Launcelot  would  have  deemed  he 
had  been  one  of  them  twain.  So  ever  as  Sir  Launcelot, 
Sir  Gareth,  Sir  Lavaine  fought,  and  on  the  one  side  Sir 
Bors,  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  Sir  Lionel,  Sir  Lamorak  de 
Galis,  Sir  Bleoberis,  Sir  Galihud,  Sir  Galihodin,  Sir  Pelleas, 
and  with  mo  other  of  King  Ban's  blood  fought  upon 
another  party,  and  held  the  King  with  the  Hundred 
Knights  and  the  King  of  Northumberland  right  strait. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

How  King  Arthur  marvelled  much  of  the  jousting  in  thefield^ 
and  how  he  rode  and  found  Sir  Launcelot. 

So  this  tournament  and  this  jousts  dured  long,  till  it  was 
near  night,  for  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table  relieved 

VOL.   II  2   D 


402  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

ever  unto  King  Arthur  ;  for  the  king  was  wroth  out  of 
measure  that  he  and  his  knights  might  not  prevail  that 
day.  Then  Sir  Gawaine  said  to  the  king  :  I  marvel  where 
all  this  day  [be]  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis  and  his  fellowship  of  Sir 
Launcelot's  blood,  I  marvel  all  this  day  they  be  not  about 
you  :  it  is  for  some  cause  said  Sir  Gawaine.  By  my  head, 
said  Sir  Kay,  Sir  Bors  is  yonder  all  this  day  upon  the  right 
hand  of  this  field,  and  there  he  and  his  blood  do  more 
worshipfully  than  we  do.  It  may  well  be,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
but  I  dread  me  ever  of  guile  ;  for  on  pain  of  my  life,  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  this  knight  with  the  red  sleeve  of  gold  is 
himself  Sir  Launcelot,  I  see  well  by  his  riding  and  by  his 
great  strokes  ;  and  the  other  knight  in  the  same  colours 
is  the  good  young  knight,  Sir  Lavaine.  Also  that  knight 
with  the  green  shield  is  my  brother,  Sir  Gareth,  and  yet 
he  hath  disguised  himself,  for  no  man  shall  never  make 
him  be  against  Sir  Launcelot,  because  he  made  him 
knight.  By  my  head,  said  Arthur,  nephew,  I  believe 
you  ;  therefore  tell  me  now  what  is  your  best  counsel. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  ye  shall  have  my  counsel :  let  blow 
unto  lodging,  for  an  he  be  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and 
my  brother,  Sir  Gareth,  with  him,  with  the  help  of  that 
good  young  knight,  Sir  Lavaine,  trust  me  truly  it  will  be 
no  boot  to  strive  with  them  but  if  we  should  fall  ten  or 
twelve  upon  one  knight,  and  that  were  no  worship,  but 
shame.  Ye  say  truth,  said  the  king  ;  and  for  to  say 
sooth,  said  the  king,  it  were  shame  to  us  so  many  as  we 
be  to  set  upon  them  any  more  ;  for  wit  ye  well,  said  King 
Arthur,  they  be  three  good  knights,  and  namely  that 
knight  with  the  sleeve  of  gold. 

So  then  they  blew  unto  lodging  ;  but  forthwithal  King 
Arthur  let  send  unto  the  four  kings,  and  to  the  mighty 
duke,  and  prayed  them  that  the  knight  with  the  sleeve  of 
gold  depart  not  from  them,  but  that  the  king  may  speak 
with  him.  Then  forthwithal  King  Arthur  alighted  and 
unarmed  him,  and  took  a  little  hackney  and  rode  after 
Sir  Launcelot,  for  ever  he  had  a  spy  upon  him.  And  so 
he  found  him  among  the  four  kings  and  the  duke  ;  and 
there  the  king  prayed  them  all  unto  supper,  and  they 


CH.  xxiv    HOW  ARTHUR  FOUND  LAUNCELOT    403 

said  they  would  with  good  will.  And  when  they  were 
unarmed  then  King  Arthur  knew  Sir  Launcelot,  Sir 
Lavaine,  and  Sir  Gareth.  Ah,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  King 
Arthur,  this  day  ye  have  heated  me  and  my  knights. 

So  they  yede  unto  Arthur's  lodging  all  together,  and 
there  was  a  great  feast  and  great  revel,  and  the  prize  was 
given  unto  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  by  heralds  they  named 
him  that  he  had  smitten  down  fifty  knights,  and  Sir 
Gareth  five-and-thirty,  and  Sir  Lavaine  four-and-twenty 
knights.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  told  the  king  and  the 
queen  how  the  lady  huntress  shot  him  in  the  forest  of 
Windsor,  in  the  buttock,  with  an  broad  arrow,  and  how 
the  wound  thereof  was  that  time  six  inches  deep,  and  in 
like  long.  Also  Arthur  blamed  Sir  Gareth  because  he 
left  his  fellowship  and  held  with  Sir  Launcelot.  My  lord, 
said  Sir  Gareth,  he  made  me  a  knight,  and  when  I  saw 
him  so  hard  bestead,  methought  it  was  my  worship  to 
help  him,  for  I  saw  him  do  so  much,  and  so  many  noble 
knights  against  him  ;  and  when  I  understood  that  he  was 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  I  shamed  to  see  so  many  knights 
against  him  alone.  Truly,  said  King  Arthur  unto  Sir 
Gareth,  ye  say  well,  and  worshipfully  have  ye  done  and 
to  yourself  great  worship  ;  and  all  the  days  of  my  life, 
said  King  Arthur  unto  Sir  Gareth,  wit  you  well  I  shall 
love  you,  and  trust  you  the  more  better.  For  ever,  said 
Arthur,  it  is  a  worshipful  knight's  deed  to  help  another 
worshipful  knight  when  he  seeth  him  in  a  great  danger  ; 
for  ever  a  worshipful  man  will  be  loath  to  see  a  worshipful 
man  shamed  ;  and  he  that  is  of  no  worship,  and  fareth 
with  cowardice,  never  shall  he  show  gentleness,  nor  no 
manner  of  goodness  where  he  seeth  a  man  in  any  danger, 
for  then  ever  will  a  coward  show  no  mercy  ;  and  always  a 
good  man  will  do  ever  to  another  man  as  he  would  be 
done  to  himself.  So  then  there  were  great  feasts  unto 
kings  and  dukes,  and  revel,  game,  and  play,  and  all 
manner  of  noblesse  was  used  ;  and  he  that  was  courteous, 
true,  and  faithful,  to  his  friend  was  that  time  cherished. 


404  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xvm 

CHAPTER   XXV 

How  true  love  is  likened  to  summer. 

AND  thus  it  passed  on  from  Candlemass  until  after  Easter, 
that  the  month  of  May  was  come,  when  every  lusty  heart 
beginneth  to  blossom,  and  to  bring  forth  fruit ;  for  like 
as  herbs  and  trees  bring  forth  fruit  and  flourish  in  May, 
in  like  wise  every  lusty  heart  that  is  in  any  manner  a  lover, 
springeth  and  flourisheth  in  lusty  deeds.  For  it  giveth 
unto  all  lovers  courage,  that  lusty  month  of  May,  in 
something  to  constrain  him  to  some  manner  of  thing 
more  in  that  month  than  in  any  other  month,  for  divers 
causes.  For  then  all  herbs  and  trees  renew  a  man  and 
woman,  and  likewise  lovers  call  again  to  their  mind  old 
gentleness  and  old  service,  and  many  kind  deeds  that 
were  forgotten  by  negligence.  For  like  as  winter  rasure 
doth  alway  arase  and  deface  green  summer,  so  fareth  it 
by  unstable  love  in  man  and  woman.  For  in  many  persons 
there  is  no  stability  ;  for  we  may  see  all  day,  for  a  little 
blast  of  winter's  rasure,  anon  we  shall  deface  and  lay  apart 
true  love  for  little  or  nought,  that  cost  much  thing  ;  this 
is  no  wisdom  nor  stability,  but  it  is  feebleness  of  nature 
and  great  disworship,  whosomever  useth  this.  Therefore, 
like  as  May  month  flowereth  and  flourisheth  in  many 
gardens,  so  in  like  wise  let  every  man  of  worship  flourish 
his  heart  in  this  world,  first  unto  God,  and  next  unto  the 
joy  of  them  that  he  promised  his  faith  unto  ;  for  there 
was  never  worshipful  man  or  worshipful  woman,  but 
they  loved  one  better  than  another  ;  and  worship  in  arms 
may  never  be  foiled,  but  first  reserve  the  honour  to  God, 
and  secondly  the  quarrel  must  come  of  thy  lady  :  and 
such  love  I  call  virtuous  love. 

But  nowadays  men  can  not  love  seven  night  but  they 
must  have  all  their  desires :  that  love  may  not  endure  by 
reason  ;  for  where  they  be  soon  accorded  and  hasty  heat, 
soon  it  cooleth.  Right  so  fareth  love  nowadays,  soon  hot 


CH.  xxv  HOW  LOVE  IS  LIKENED  TO  SUMMER  405 

soon  cold  :  this  is  no  stability.  But  the  old  love  was  not 
so  ;  men  and  women  could  love  together  seven  years,  and 
no  licours  lusts  were  between  them,  and  then  was  love, 
truth,  and  faithfulness  :  and  lo,  in  like  wise  was  used  love 
in  King  Arthur's  days.  Wherefore  I  liken  love  nowadays 
unto  summer  and  winter  ;  for  like  as  the  one  is  hot  and  the 
other  cold,  so  fareth  love  nowadays  ;  therefore  all  ye  that 
be  lovers  call  unto  your  remembrance  the  month  of  May, 
like  as  did  Queen  Guenever,  for  whom  I  make  here  a  little 
mention,  that  while  she  lived  she  was  a  true  lover,  and 
therefore  she  had  a  good  end. 


icit  liber  ©ctotiecimug* 
|jm  follofoetjj  lifcer  xix, 


BOOK    XIX 


CHAPTER  I 

How  Queen  Gue  never  rode  a- May  ing  with  certain  knights  of 
the  Round  Table  and  clad  all  in  green. 

So  it  befell  in  the  month  of  May,  Queen  Guenever  called 
unto  her  knights  of  the  Table  Round  ;  and  she  gave  them 
warning  that  early  upon  the  morrow  she  would  ride  a- 
Maying  into  woods  and  fields  beside  Westminster.  And  I 
warn  you  that  there  be  none  of  you  but  that  he  be  well 
horsed,  and  that  ye  all  be  clothed  in  green,  outher  in  silk 
outher  in  cloth  ;  and  I  shall  bring  with  me  ten  ladies,  and 
every  knight  shall  have  a  lady  behind  him,  and  every 
knight  shall  have  a  squire  and  two  yeomen  ;  and  I  will 
that  ye  all  be  well  horsed.  So  they  made  them  ready  in 
the  freshest  manner.  And  these  were  the  names  of  the 
knights  :  Sir  Kay  le  Seneschal,  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir  Brandiles, 
Sir  Sagramore  le  Desirous,  Sir  Dodinas  le  Savage,  Sir 
Ozanna  Je  Cure  Hardy,  Sir  Ladinas  of  the  Forest  Savage, 
Sir  Persant  of  Inde,  Sir  Ironside,  that  was  called  the  Knight 
of  the  Red  Launds,  and  Sir  Pelleas,  the  lover  ;  and  these 
ten  knights  made  them  ready  in  the  freshest  manner  to  ride 
with  the  queen.  And  so  upon  the  morn  they  took  their 
horses  with  the  queen,  and  rode  a-Maying  in  woods  and 
meadows  as  it  pleased  them,  in  great  joy  and  delights ;  for 
the  queen  had  cast  to  have  been  again  with  King  Arthur 
at  the  furthest  by  ten  of  the  clock,  and  so  was  that  time 
her  purpose. 

Then  there  was  a  knight  that  hight  Meliagrance,  and 


CH.  i     QUEEN  GUENEVER  GOES  A-MAYING      407 

he  was  son  unto  King  Bagdemagus,  and  this  knight  had  at 
that  time  a  castle  of  the  gift  of  King  Arthur  within  seven 
mile  of  Westminster.  And  this  knight,  Sir  Meliagrance, 
loved  passing  well  Queen  Guenever,  and  so  had  he  done 
long  and  many  years.  And  the  book  saith  he  had  lain  in 
await  for  to  steal  away  the  queen,  but  evermore  he  for- 
bare  for  because  of  Sir  Launcelot ;  for  in  no  wise  he  would 
meddle  with  the  queen  an  Sir  Launcelot  were  in  her  com- 
pany, outher  else  an  he  were  near-hand  her.  And  that 
time  was  such  a  custom,  the  queen  rode  never  without  a 
great  fellowship  of  men  of  arms  about  her,  and  they  were 
many  good  knights,  and  the  most  part  were  young  men 
that  would  have  worship  ;  and  they  were  called  the  Queen's 
Knights,  and  never  in  no  battle,  tournament,  nor  jousts, 
they  bare  none  of  them  no  manner  of  knowledging  of  their 
own  arms,  but  plain  white  shields,  and  thereby  they  were 
called  the  Queen's  Knights.  And  then  when  it  happed 
any  of  them  to  be  of  great  worship  by  his  noble  deeds, 
then  at  the  next  Feast  of  Pentecost,  if  there  were  any  slain 
or  dead,  as  there  was  none  year  that  there  failed  but  some 
were  dead,  then  was  there  chosen  in  his  stead  that  was 
dead  the  most  men  of  worship,  that  were  called  the  Queen's 
Knights.  And  thus  they  came  up  all  first,  or  they  were 
renowned  men  of  worship,  both  Sir  Launcelot  and  all  the 
remnant  of  them. 

But  this  knight,  Sir  Meliagrance,  had  espied  the  queen 
well  and  her  purpose,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  was  not  with 
her,  and  how  she  had  no  men  of  arms  with  her  but  the  ten 
noble  knights  all  arrayed  in  green  for  Maying.  Then  he 
purveyed  him  a  twenty  men  of  arms  and  an  hundred 
archers  for  to  destroy  the  queen  and  her  knights,  for  he 
thought  that  time  was  best  season  to  take  the  queen. 


4o8  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 


CHAPTER   II 

How  Sir  Meliagrance  took  the  queen  and  her  knights,  which 
were  sore  hurt  in  fighting. 

So  as  the  queen  had  Mayed  and  all  her  knights,  all  were 
bedashed  with  herbs,  mosses  and  flowers,  in  the  best 
manner  and  freshest.  Right  so  came  out  of  a  wood  Sir 
Meliagrance  with  an  eight  score  men  well  harnessed,  as 
they  should  fight  in  a  battle  of  arrest,  and  bade  the  queen 
and  her  knights  abide,  for  maugre  their  heads  they  should 
abide.  Traitor  knight,  said  Queen  Guenever,  what  cast 
thou  for  to  do  ?  Wilt  thou  shame  thyself?  Bethink  thee 
how  thou  art  a  king's  son,  and  knight  of  the  Table  Round, 
and  thou  to  be  about  to  dishonour  the  noble  king  that 
made  thee  knight;  thou  shamest  all  knighthood  and  thyself, 
and  me,  I  let  thee  wit,  shalt  thou  never  shame,  for  I  had 
liefer  cut  mine  own  throat  in  twain  rather  than  thou 
shouldest  dishonour  me.  As  for  all  this  language,  said  Sir 
Meliagrance,  be  it  as  it  be  may,  for  wit  you  well,  madam, 
I  have  loved  you  many  a  year,  and  never  or  now  could  I 
get  you  at  such  an  advantage  as  I  do  now,  and  therefore  I 
will  take  you  as  I  find  you. 

Then  spake  all  the  ten  noble  knights  at  once  and  said  : 
Sir  Meliagrance,  wit  thou  well  ye  are  about  to  jeopard  your 
worship  to  dishonour,  and  also  ye  cast  to  jeopard  our 
persons  howbeit  we  be  unarmed.  Ye  have  us  at  a  great 
avail,  for  it  seemeth  by  you  that  ye  have  laid  watch  upon 
us  ;  but  rather  than  ye  should  put  the  queen  to  a  shame 
and  us  all,  we  had  as  lief  to  depart  from  our  lives,  for  an  if' 
we  other  ways  did,  we  were  shamed  for  ever.  Then  said 
Sir  Meliagrance  :  Dress  you  as  well  ye  can,  and  keep  the 
queen.  Then  the  ten  knights  of  the  Table  Round  drew 
their  swords,  and  the  other  let  run  at  them  with  their 
spears,  and  the  ten  knights  manly  abode  them,  and  smote 
away  their  spears  that  no  spear  did  them  none  harm.  Then 
they  lashed  together  with  swords,  and  anon  Sir  Kay,  Sir 


CHAP,  m      HOW  THE  QUEEN  WAS  TAKEN  409 

Sagramore,  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir  Dodinas,  Sir  Ladinas,  and 
Sir  Ozanna  were  smitten  to  the  earth  with  grimly  wounds. 
Then  Sir  Brandiles,  and  Sir  Persant,  Sir  Ironside,  Sir 
Pelleas  fought  long,  and  they  were  sore  wounded,  for 
these  ten  knights,  or  ever  they  were  laid  to  the  ground, 
slew  forty  men  of  the  boldest  and  the  best  of  them. 

So  when  the  queen  saw  her  knights  thus  dolefully 
wounded,  and  needs  must  be  slain  at  the  last,  then  for  pity 
and  sorrow  she  cried  Sir  Meliagrance  :  Slay  not  my  noble 
knights,  and  I  will  go  with  thee  upon  this  covenant,  that 
thou  save  them,  and  suffer  them  not  to  be  no  more  hurt, 
with  this,  that  they  be  led  with  me  wheresomever  thou 
leadest  me,  for  I  will  rather  slay  myself  than  I  will  go 
with  thee,  unless  that  these  my  noble  knights  may  be  in  my 
presence.  Madam,  said  Meliagrance,  for  your  sake  they 
shall  be  led  with  you  into  mine  own  castle,  with  that  ye  will 
be  ruled,  and  ride  with  me.  Then  the  queen  prayed  the 
four  knights  to  leave  their  fighting,  and  she  and  they 
would  not  depart.  Madam,  said  Sir  Pelleas,  we  will  do  as 
ye  do,  for  as  for  me  I  take  no  force  of  my  life  nor  death. 
For  as  the  French  book  saith,  Sir  Pelleas  gave  such  buffets 
there  that  none  armour  might  hold  him. 


CHAPTER   III 

How  Sir  Launcelot  had  word  how  the  queen  was  taken,  and 
how  Sir  Meliagrance  laid  a  bushment  for  Launcelot. 

THEN  by  the  queen's  commandment  they  left  battle,  and 
dressed  the  wounded  knights  on  horseback,  some  sitting, 
some  overthwart  their  horses,  that  it  was  pity  to  behold 
them.  And  then  Sir  Meliagrance  charged  the  queen  and 
all  her  knights  that  none  of  all  her  fellowship  should 
depart  from  her  ;  for  full  sore  he  dread  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake,  lest  he  should  have  any  knowledging.  All  this 
espied  the  queen,  and  privily  she  called  unto  her  a  child  of 
her  chamber  that  was  swiftly  horsed,  to  whom  she  said  : 


410  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

Go  thou,  when  thou  seest  thy  time,  and  bear  this  ring  unto 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and  pray  him  as  he  loveth  me  that 
he  will  see  me  and  rescue  me,  if  ever  he  will  have  joy  of 
me  ;  and  spare  not  thy  horse,  said  the  queen,  neither  for 
water,  neither  for  land.  So  the  child  espied  his  time,  and 
lightly  he  took  his  horse  with  the  spurs,  and  departed  as 
fast  as  he  might.  And  when  Sir  Meliagrance  saw  him  so 
flee,  he  understood  that  it  was  by  the  queen's  command- 
ment for  to  warn  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  they  that  were 
best  horsed  chased  him  and  shot  at  him,  but  from  them  all 
the  child  went  suddenly.  And  then  Sir  Meliagrance  said 
to  the  queen  :  Madam,  ye  are  about  to  betray  me,  but  I 
shall  ordain  for  Sir  Launcelot  that  he  shall  not  come  lightly 
at  you.  And  then  he  rode  with  her,  and  they  all,  to  his 
castle,  in  all  the  haste  that  they  might.  And  by  the  way 
Sir  Meliagrance  laid  in  an  embushment  the  best  archers 
that  he  might  get  in  his  country,  to  the  number  of  thirty, 
to  await  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  charging  them  that  if  they 
saw  such  a  manner  of  knight  come  by  the  way  upon  a 
white  horse,  that  in  any  wise  they  slay  his  horse,  but  in  no 
manner  of  wise  have  not  ado  with  him  bodily,  for  he  is 
over-hardy  to  be  overcome. 

So  this  was  done,  and  they  were  come  to  his  castle,  but 
in  no  wise  the  queen  would  never  let  none  of  the  ten 
knights  and  her  ladies  out  of  her  sight,  but  always  they 
were  in  her  presence  ;  for  the  book  saith,  Sir  Meliagrance 
durst  make  no  masteries,  for  dread  of  Sir  Launcelot,  inso- 
much he  deemed  that  he  had  warning.  So  when  the  child 
was  departed  from  the  fellowship  of  Sir  Meliagrance, 
within  a  while  he  came  to  Westminster,  and  anon  he  found 
Sir  Launcelot.  And  when  he  had  told  his  message,  and 
delivered  him  the  queen's  ring  :  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
now  I  am  shamed  for  ever,  unless  that  I  may  rescue  that 
noble  lady  from  dishonour.  Then  eagerly  he  asked  his 
armour  ;  and  ever  the  child  told  Sir  Launcelot  how  the 
ten  knights  fought  marvellously,  and  how  Sir  Pelleas,  and 
Sir  Ironside,  and  Sir  Brandiles,  and  Sir  Persant  of  Inde, 
fought  strongly,  but  namely  Sir  Pelleas,  there  might  none 
withstand  him ;  and  how  they  all  fought  till  at  the  last  they 


CH.IV  HOW  LAUNCELOT'S  HORSE  WAS  SLAIN  411 

were  laid  to  the  earth  ;  and  then  the  queen  made  appoint- 
ment for  to  save  their  lives,  and  go  with  Sir  Meliagrance. 

Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  most  noble  lady,  that  she 
should  be  so  destroyed  ;  I  had  liefer,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
than  all  France,  that  I  had  been  there  well  armed.  So 
when  Sir  Launcelot  was  armed  and  upon  his  horse,  he 
prayed  the  child  of  the  queen's  chamber  to  warn  Sir 
Lavaine  how  suddenly  he  was  departed,  and  for  what  cause. 
And  pray  him  as  he  loveth  me,  that  he  will  hie  him  after 
me,  and  that  he  stint  not  until  he  come  to  the  castle  where 
Sir  Meliagrance  abideth,  or  dwelleth  ;  for  there,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  he  shall  hear  of  me  an  I  am  a  man  living,  and 
rescue  the  queen  and  the  ten  knights  the  which  he  traitor- 
ously hath  taken,  and  that  shall  I  prove  upon  his  head,  and 
all  them  that  hold  with  him. 


CHAPTER   IV 

How  Sir  Launcelot' s  horse  was  slain>  and  how  Sir  Launcelot 
rode  in  a  cart  for  to  rescue  the  queen 

THEN  Sir  Launcelot  rode  as  fast  as  he  might,  and  the 
book  saith  he  took  the  water  at  Westminster  Bridge,  and 
made  his  horse  to  swim  over  Thames  unto  Lambeth. 
And  then  within  a  while  he  came  to  the  same  place  thereas 
the  ten  noble  knights  fought  with  Sir  Meliagrance.  And 
then  Sir  Launcelot  followed  the  track  until  that  he  came 
to  a  wood,  and  there  was  a  straight  way,  and  there  the 
thirty  archers  bade  Sir  Launcelot  turn  again,  and  follow 
no  longer  that  track.  What  commandment  have  ye 
thereto,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  to  cause  me  that  am  a  knight 
of  the  Round  Table  to  leave  my  right  way  ?  This  way 
shalt  thou  leave,  other-else  thou  shalt  go  it  on  thy  foot, 
for  wit  thou  well  thy  horse  shall  be  slain.  That  is  little 
mastery,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  to  slay  mine  horse  ;  but  as 
for  myself,  when  my  horse  is  slain,  I  give  right  nought 
for  you,  not  an  ye  were  five  hundred  more.  So  then  they 


412  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

shot  Sir  Launcelot's  horse,  and  smote  him  with  many 
arrows  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  avoided  his  horse,  and 
went  on  foot ;  but  there  were  so  many  ditches  and  hedges 
betwixt  them  and  him  that  he  might  not  meddle  with 
none  of  them.  Alas  for  shame,  said  Launcelot,  that  ever 
one  knight  should  betray  another  knight ;  but  it  is  an  old 
saw,  A  good  man  is  never  in  danger  but  when  he  is  in  the 
danger  of  a  coward.  "TTien  Sir  Launcelot  went^aTwhiie, 
anothen  he  was  foul  cumbered  of  his  armour,  his  shield, 
and  his  spear,  and  all  that  longed  unto  him.  Wit  ye  well 
he  was  full  sore  annoyed,  and  full  loath  he  was  for  to  leave 
anything  that  longed  unto  him,  for  he  dread  sore  the 
treason  of  Sir  Meliagrance. 

Then  by  fortune  there  came  by  him  a  chariot  that 
came  thither  for  to  fetch  wood.  Say  me,  carter,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  what  shall  I  give  thee  to  suffer  me  to  leap 
into  thy  chariot,  and  that  thou  bring  me  unto  a  castle 
within  this  two  mile  ?  Thou  shalt  not  come  within  my 
chariot,  said  the  carter,  for  I  am  sent  for  to  fetch  wood 
for  my  lord,  Sir  Meliagrance.  With  him  would  I  speak. 
Thou  shalt  not  go  with  me,  said  the  carter.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  leapt  to  him,  and  gave  him  such  a  buffet  that 
he  fell  to  the  earth  stark  dead.  Then  the  other  carter, 
his  fellow,  was  afeard,  and  weened  to  have  gone  the  same 
way  ;  and  then  he  cried  :  Fair  lord,  save  my  life,  and  I 
shall  bring  you  where  ye  will.  Then  I  charge  thee,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  that  thou  drive  me  and  this  chariot  even 
unto  Sir  Meliagrance's  gate.  Leap  up  into  the  chariot,  said 
the  carter,  and  ye  shall  be  there  anon.  So  the  carter  drove  on 
a  great  wallop,  and  Sir  Launcelot's  horse  followed  the  chariot, 
with  more  than  a  forty  arrows  broad  and  rough  in  him. 

And  more  than  an  hour  and  an  half  Dame  Guenever 
was  awaiting  in  a  bay  window  with  her  ladies,  and  espied 
an  armed  knight  standing  in  a  chariot.  See,  madam,  said 
a  lady,  where  rideth  in  a  chariot  a  goodly  armed  knight ; 
I  suppose  he  rideth  unto  hanging.  Where  ?  said  the 
queen.  Then  she  espied  by  his  shield  that  he  was  there 
himself,  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  And  then  she  was  ware 
where  came  his  horse  ever  after  that  chariot,  and  ever  he 


CH.  v     OF  MELIAGRANCE  AND  THE  QUEEN       413 

trod  his  guts  and  his  paunch  under  his  feet.  Alas,  said 
the  queen,  now  I  see  well  and  prove,  that  well  is  him  that 
hath  a  trusty  friend.  Ha,  ha,  most  noble  knight,  said 
Queen  Guenever,  I  see  well  thou  art  hard  bestead  when  thou 
ridest  in  a  chariot.  Then  she  rebuked  that  lady  that  likened 
Sir  Launcelot  to  ride  in  a  chariot  to  hanging.  It  was  foul 
mouthed,  said  the  queen,  and  evil  likened,  so  for  to  liken  the 
most  noble  knight  of  the  world  unto  such  a  shameful  death. 
O  Jesu  defend  him  and  keep  him,  said  the  queen,  from 
all  mischievous  end.  By  this  was  Sir  Launcelot  come  to 
the  gates  of  that  castle,  and  there  he  descended  down,  and 
cried,  that  all  the  castle  rang  of  it :  Where  art  thou,  false 
traitor,  Sir  Meliagrance,  and  knight  of  the  Table  Round  ? 
now  come  forth  here,  thou  traitor  knight,  thou  and  thy 
fellowship  with  thee  ;  for  here  I  am,  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake,  that  shall  fight  with  you.  And  therewithal  he  bare 
the  gate  wide  open  upon  the  porter,  and  smote  him  under 
his  ear  with  his  gauntlet,  that  his  neck  brast  a-sunder. 


CHAPTER  V 

How  Sir  Meliagrance  required  forgiveness  of  the  queen,  and 
how  she  appeased  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  other  matters. 

WHEN  Sir  Meliagrance  heard  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  there 
he  ran  unto  Queen  Guenever,  and  fell  upon  his  knee,  and 
said  :  Mercy,  madam,  now  I  put  me  wholly  into  your 
grace.  What  aileth  you  now  ?  said  Queen  Guenever ; 
forsooth  I  might  well  wit  some  good  knight  would  revenge 
me,  though  my  lord  Arthur  wist  not  of  this  your  work. 
Madam,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  all  this  that  is  amiss  on  my 
part  shall  be  amended  right  as  yourself  will  devise,  and 
wholly  I  put  me  in  your  grace.  What  would  ye  that  I 
did  ?  said  the  queen.  I  would  no  more,  said  Meliagrance, 
but  that  ye  would  take  all  in  your  own  hands,  and  that  ye 
will  rule  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  such  cheer  as  may 
be  made  him  in  this  poor  castle  ye  and  he  shall  have  until 


4H  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

to-morn,  and  then  may  ye  and  all  they  return  unto  West- 
minster ;  and  my  body  and  all  that  I  have  I  shall  put  in  your 
rule.  Ye  say  well,  said  the  queen,  and  better  is  peace  than 
ever  war,  and  the  less  noise  the  more  is  my  worship. 

Then  the  queen  and  her  ladies  went  down  unto  the 
knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  that  stood  wroth  out  of  measure  in 
the  inner  court,  to  abide  battle  ;  and  ever  he  bade  :  Thou 
traitor  knight  come  forth.  Then  the  queen  came  to  him 
and  said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  why  be  ye  so  moved  ?  Ha, 
madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  why  ask  ye  me  that  question  ? 
Meseemeth,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  ought  to  be  more  wroth 
than  I  am,  for  ye  have  the  hurt  and  the  dishonour,  for  wit 
ye  well,  madam,  my  hurt  is  but  little  for  the  killing  of  a 
mare's  son,  but  the  despite  grieveth  me  much  more  than 
all  my  hurt.  Truly,  said  the  queen,  ye  say  truth  ;  but 
heartily  I  thank  you,  said  the  queen,  but  ye  must  come  in 
with  me  peaceably,  for  all  thing  is  put  in  my  hand,  and  all 
that  is  evil  shall  be  for  the  best,  for  the  knight  full  sore 
repenteth  him  of  the  misadventure  that  is  befallen  him. 
Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  sith  it  is  so  that  ye  been 
accorded  with  him,  as  for  me  I  may  not  be  again  it, 
howbeit  Sir  Meliagrance  hath  done  full  shamefully  to  me, 
and  cowardly.  Ah  madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  an  I  had 
wist  ye  would  have  been  so  soon  accorded  with  him  I 
would  not  have  made  such  haste  unto  you.  Why  say  ye 
so,  said  the  queen,  do  ye  forthink  yourself  of  your  good 
deeds  ?  Wit  you  well,  said  the  queen,  I  accorded  never 
unto  him  for  favour  nor  love  that  I  had  unto  him,  but 
for  to  lay  down  every  shameful  noise.  Madam,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  ye  understand  full  well  I  was  never  willing  nor 
glad  of  shameful  slander  nor  noise ;  and  there  is  neither 
king,  queen,  nor  knight,  that  beareth  the  life,  except  my 
lord  King  Arthur,  and  you,  madam,  should  let  me,  but  I 
should  make  Sir  Meliagrance's  heart  full  cold  or  ever  I 
departed  from  hence.  That  wot  I  well,  said  the  queen, 
but  what  will  ye  more  ?  Ye  shall  have  all  thing  ruled  as 
ye  list  to  have  it.  Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  so  ye  be 
pleased  I  care  not,  as  for  my  part  ye  shall  soon  please. 

Right  so  the  queen  took  Sir  Launcelot  by  the  bare 


CH.  vi      OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  THE  QUEEN         415 

hand,  for  he  had  put  off  his  gauntlet,  and  so  she  went 
with  him  till  her  chamber  ;  and  then  she  commanded  him 
to  be  unarmed.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  asked  where 
were  the  ten  knights  that  were  wounded  sore  ;  so  she 
showed  them  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and  there  they  made 
great  joy  of  the  coming  of  him,  and  Sir  Launcelot  made 
great  dole  of  their  hurts,  and  bewailed  them  greatly.  And 
there  Sir  Launcelot  told  them  how  cowardly  and  traitorly 
Meliagrance  set  archers  to  slay  his  horse,  and  how  he  was 
fain  to  put  himself  in  a  chariot.  Thus  they  complained 
everych  to  other  ;  and  full  fain  they  would  have  been 
revenged,  but  they  peaced  themselves  because  of  the  queen. 
Then,  as  the  French  book  saith,  Sir  Launcelot  was  called 
many  a  day  after  le  Chevaler  du  Chariot,  and  did  many 
deeds,  and  great  adventures  he  had.  And  so  leave  we  of 
this  tale  le  Chevaler  du  Chariot,  and  turn  we  to  this  tale. 

So  Sir  Launcelot  had  great  cheer  with  the  queen,  and 
then  Sir  Launcelot  made  a  promise  with  the  queen  that  the 
same  night  Sir  Launcelot  should  come  to  a  window  out- 
ward toward  a  garden  ;  and  that  window  was  y-barred  with 
iron,  and  there  Sir  Launcelot  promised  to  meet  her  when 
all  folks  were  asleep.  So  then  came  Sir  Lavaine  driving 
to  the  gates,  crying  :  Where  is  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake  ?  Then  was  he  sent  for,  and  when  Sir  Lavaine  saw 
Sir  Launcelot,  he  said  :  My  lord,  I  found  well  how  ye 
were  hard  bestead,  for  I  have  found  your  horse  that  was 
slain  with  arrows.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  pray 
you,  Sir  Lavaine,  speak  ye  of  other  matters,  and  let  ye 
this  pass,  and  we  shall  right  it  another  time  when  we 
best  may. 

CHAPTER  VI 

How  Sir  Launcelot  came  in  the  night  to  the  queen  and  lay 
with  her,  and  how  Sir  Meliagrance  appeached  the 
queen  of  treason. 

THEN  the  knights  that  were  hurt  were  searched,  and  soft 
salves  were  laid  to  their  wounds  ;  and  so  it  passed  on  till 


416  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

supper  time,  and  all  the  cheer  that  might  be  made  them 
there  was  done  unto  the  queen  and  all  her  knights.  Then 
when  season  was,  they  went  unto  their  chambers,  but  in 
no  wise  the  queen  would  not  suffer  the  wounded  knights 
to  be  from  her,  but  that  they  were  laid  within  draughts  by 
her  chamber,  upon  beds  and  pillows,  that  she  herself  might 
see  to  them,  that  they  wanted  nothing. 

So  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  in  his  chamber  that  was 
assigned  unto  him,  he  called  unto  him  Sir  Lavaine,  and 
told  him  that  night  he  must  go  speak  with  his  lady,  Dame 
Guenever.  Sir,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  let  me  go  with  you  an 
it  please  you,  for  I  dread  me  sore  of  the  treason  of  Sir 
Meliagrance.  Nay,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  thank  you,  but 
I  will  have  nobody  with  me.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  took 
his  sword  in  his  hand,  and  privily  went  to  a  place  where 
he  had  espied  a  ladder  to-forehand,  and  that  he  took  under 
his  arm,  and  bare  it  through  the  garden,  and  set  it  up  to 
the  window,  and  there  anon  the  queen  was  ready  to  meet 
him.  And  then  they  made  either  to  other  their  com- 
plaints of  many  divers  things,  and  then  Sir  Launcelot 
wished  that  he  might  have  come  into  her.  Wit  ye  well, 
said  the  queen,  I  would  as  fain  as  ye,  that  ye  might  come 
in  to  me.  Would  ye,  madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  with 
your  heart  that  I  were  with  you  ?  Yea,  truly,  said  the 
queen.  Now  shall  I  prove  my  might,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
for  your  love  ;  and  then  he  set  his  hands  upon  the  bars 
of  iron,  and  he  pulled  at  them  with  such  a  might  that  he 
brast  them  clean  out  of  the  stone  walls,  and  therewithal 
one  of  the  bars  of  iron  cut  the  brawn  of  his  hands 
throughout  to  the  bone  ;  and  then  he  leapt  into  the  chamber 
to  the  queen.  Make  ye  no  noise,  said  the  queen,  for  my 
wounded  knights  lie  here  fast  by  me.  So,  to  pass  upon 
this  tale,  Sir  Launcelot  went  unto  bed  with  the  queen,  and 
he  took  no  force  of  his  hurt  hand,  but  took  his  pleasaunce 
and  his  liking  until  it  was  in  the  dawning  of  the  day  ;  and 
wit  ye  well  he  slept  not  but  watched,  and  when  he  saw  his 
time  that  he  might  tarry  no  longer  he  took  his  leave  and 
departed  at  the  window,  and  put  it  together  as  well  as  he 
might  again,  and  so  departed  unto  his  own  chamber  ;  and 


CH.  vi  THE  QUEEN  APPE ACHED  OF  TREASON  417 

there  he  told  Sir  Lavaine  how  he  was  hurt.  Then  Sir 
Lavaine  dressed  his  hand  and  staunched  it,  and  put  upon 
it  a  glove,  that  it  should  not  be  espied  ;  and  so  the  queen 
lay  long  in  her  bed  until  it  was  nine  of  the  clock. 

Then  Sir  Meliagrance  went  to  the  queen's  chamber, 
and  found  her  ladies  there  ready  clothed.  Jesu  mercy, 
said  Sir  Meliagrance,  what  aileth  you,  madam,  that  ye 
sleep  thus  long?  And  right  therewithal  he  opened  the 
curtain  for  to  behold  her ;  and  then  was  he  ware  where 
she  lay,  and  all  the  sheet  and  pillow  was  bebled  with  the 
blood  of  Sir  Launcelot  and  of  his  hurt  hand.  When  Sir 
Meliagrance  espied  that  blood,  then  he  deemed  in  her 
that  she  was  false  to  the  king,  and  that  some  of  the 
wounded  knights  had  lain  by  her  all  that  night.  Ah, 
madam,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  now  I  have  found  you  a 
false  traitress  unto  my  lord  Arthur  ;  for  now  I  prove  well 
it  was  not  for  nought  that  ye  laid  these  wounded  knights 
within  the  bounds  of  your  chamber ;  therefore  I  will 
call  you  of  treason  before  my  lord,  King  Arthur.  And 
now  I  have  proved  you,  madam,  with  a  shameful  deed  ; 
and  that  they  be  all  false,  or  some  of  them,  I  will  make 
good,  for  a  wounded  knight  this  night  hath  lain  by  you. 
That  is  false,  said  the  queen,  and  that  I  will  report  me 
unto  them  all.  Then  when  the  ten  knights  heard  Sir 
Meliagrance's  words,  they  spake  all  in  one  voice  and  said 
to  Sir  Meliagrance  :  Thou  sayest  falsely,  and  wrongfully 
puttest  upon  us  such  a  deed,  and  that  we  will  make  good 
any  of  us  ;  choose  which  thou  list  of  us  when  we  are  whole 
of  our  wounds.  Ye  shall  not,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  away 
with  your  proud  language,  for  here  ye  may  all  see,  said 
Sir  Meliagrance,  that  by  the  queen  this  night  a  wounded 
knight  hath  lain.  Then  were  they  all  ashamed  when  they 
saw  that  blood  ;  and  wit  you  well  Sir  Meliagrance  was 
passing  glad  that  he  had  the  queen  at  such  an  advantage, 
for  he  deemed  by  that  to  hide  his  treason.  So  with  this 
rumour  came  in  Sir  Launcelot,  and  found  them  all  at  a 
great  array. 


VOL.   II  2    E 


4i 8  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 


CHAPTER   VII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  answered  for  the  queen,  and  waged  battle 
against  Sir  Meliagrance ;  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  was 
taken  in  a  trap. 

WHAT  array  is  this  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  Sir  Melia- 
grance told  them  what  he  had  found,  and  showed  them 
the  queen's  bed.  Truly,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  did  not 
your  part  nor  knightly,  to  touch  a  queen's  bed  while  it 
was  drawn,  and  she  lying  therein  ;  for  I  dare  say  my  lord 
Arthur  himself  would  not  have  displayed  her  curtains,  she 
being  within  her  bed,  unless  that  it  had  pleased  him  to 
have  lain  down  by  her ;  and  therefore  ye  have  done 
unworshipfully  and  shamefully  to  yourself.  I  wot  not 
what  ye  mean,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  but  well  I  am  sure 
there  hath  one  of  her  wounded  knights  lain  by  her  this 
night,  and  therefore  I  will  prove  with  my  hands  that  she 
is  a  traitress  unto  my  lord  Arthur.  Beware  what  ye  do 
said  Launcelot,  for  an  ye  say  so,  an  ye  will  prove  it,  it 
will  be  taken  at  your  hands. 

My  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  I  rede 
you  beware  what  ye  do  ;  for  though  ye  are  never  so  good 
a  knight,  as  ye  wot  well  ye  are  renowned  the  best  knight 
of  the  world,  yet  should  ye  be  advised  to  do  battle  in  a 
wrong  quarrel,  for  God  will  have  a  stroke  in  every  battle. 
As  for  that,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  God  is  to  be  dread  ;  but 
as  to  that  I  say  nay  plainly,  that  this  night  there  lay  none 
of  these  ten  wounded  knights  with  my  lady  Queen 
Guenever,  and  that  will  I  prove  with  my  hands,  that  ye 
say  untruly  in  that  now.  Hold,  said  Sir  Meliagrance, 
here  is  my  glove  that  she  is  traitress  unto  my  lord, 
King  Arthur,  and  that  this  night  one  of  the  wounded 
knights  lay  with  her.  And  I  receive  your  glove,  said  Sir 
Launcelot.  And  so  they  were  sealed  with  their  signets, 
and  delivered  unto  the  ten  knights.  At  what  day  shall 
we  do  battle  together  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot.  This  day 


CH.  vii     HOW  LAUNCELOT  WAS  TRAPPED          419 

eight  days,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  in  the  field  beside  West- 
minster. I  am  agreed,  said  Sir  Launcelot.  But  now,  said 
Sir  Meliagrance,  sithen  it  is  so  that  we  must  fight  together, 
I  pray  you,  as  ye  be  a  noble  knight,  await  me  with  no 
treason,  nor  none  villainy  the  meanwhile,  nor  none  for 
you.  So  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  shall  right 
well  wit  I  was  never  of  no  such  conditions,  for  I  report 
me  to  all  knights  that  ever  have  known  me,  I  fared  never 
with  no  treason,  nor  I  loved  never  the  fellowship  of  no 
man  that  fared  with  treason.  Then  let  us  go  to  dinner, 
said  Meliagrance,  and  after  dinner  ye  and  the  queen  and 
ye  may  ride  all  to  Westminster.  I  will  well,  said  Sir 
Launcelot. 

Then  Sir  Meliagrance  said  to  Sir  Launcelot :  Pleaseth 
it  you  to  see  the  estures  of  this  castle?  With  a  good 
will,  said  Sir  Launcelot.  And  then  they  went  together 
from  chamber  to  chamber,  for  Sir  Launcelot  dread  no 
perils  ;  for  ever  a  man  of  worship  and  of  prowess  dreadeth 
least  always  perils,  for  they  ween  every  man  be  as  they 
be  ;  but  ever  he  that  fareth  with  treason  putteth  oft  a  man 
in  great  danger.  So  it  befell  upon  Sir  Launcelot  that  no 
peril  dread,  as  he  went  with  Sir  Meliagrance  he  trod  on 
a  trap  and  the  board  rolled,  and  there  Sir  Launcelot  fell 
down  more  than  ten  fathom  into  a  cave  full  of  straw ; 
and  then  Sir  Meliagrance  departed  and  made  no  fare  as 
that  he  nist  where  he  was. 

And  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  thus  missed  they  marvelled 
where  he  was  become  ;  and  then  the  queen  and  many  of 
them  deemed  that  he  was  departed  as  he  was  wont  to  do, 
suddenly.  For  Sir  Meliagrance  made  suddenly  to  put 
away  aside  Sir  Lavaine's  horse,  that  they  might  all  under- 
stand that  Sir  Launcelot  was  departed  suddenly.  So  it 
passed  on  till  after  dinner  ;  and  then  Sir  Lavaine  would 
not  stint  until  that  he  ordained  litters  for  the  wounded 
knights,  that  they  might  be  laid  in  them  ;  and  so  with  the 
queen  and  them  all,  both  ladies  and  gentlewomen  and  other, 
went  unto  Westminster  ;  and  there  the  knights  told  King 
Arthur  how  Meliagrance  had  appealed  the  queen  of  high 
treason,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  had  received  the  glove  of 


420  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

him  :  And  this  day  eight  days  they  shall  do  battle  afore 
you.  By  my  head,  said  King  Arthur,  I  am  afeard  Sir 
Meliagrance  hath  taken  upon  him  a  great  charge  ;  but 
where  is  Sir  Launcelot  ?  said  the  king.  Sir,  said  they  all, 
we  wot  not  where  he  is,  but  we  deem  he  is  ridden  to  some 
adventures,  as  he  is  ofttimes  wont  to  do,  for  he  hath  Sir 
Lavaine's  horse.  Let  him  be,  said  the  king,  he  will  be 
founden,  but  if  he  be  trapped  with  some  treason. 


CHAPTER   VIII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  delivered  out  of  prison  by  a  lady, 
and  took  a  white  courser  and  came  for  to  keep  his  day. 

So  leave  we  Sir  Launcelot  lying  within  that  cave  in  great 
pain  ;  and  every  day  there  came  a  lady  and  brought  him 
his  meat  and  his  drink,  and  wooed  him,  to  have  lain  by 
him  ;  and  ever  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  her 
nay.  Sir  Launcelot,  said  she,  ye  are  not  wise,  for  ye  may 
never  out  of  this  prison,  but  if  ye  have  my  help  ;  and 
also  your  lady,  Queen  Guenever,  shall  be  brent  in  your 
default,  unless  that  ye  be  there  at  the  day  of  battle.  God 
defend,  said  Sir  Launcelot;  that  she  should  be  brent  in  my 
default ;  and  if  it  be  so,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  I  may  not 
be  there,  it  shall  be  well  understanded,  both  at  the  king  and 
at  the  queen,  and  with  all  men  of  worship,  that  I  am  dead, 
sick,  outher  in  prison.  For  all  men  that  know  me  will 
say  for  me  that  I  am  in  some  evil  case  an  I  be  not  there 
that  day  ;  and  well  I  wot  there  is  some  good  knight  either 
of  my  blood,  or  some  other  that  loveth  me,  that  will  take 
my  quarrel  in  hand ;  and  therefore,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  wit 
ye  well  ye  shall  not  fear  me  ;  and  if  there  were  no  more 
women  in  all  this  land  but  ye,  I  will  not  have  ado  with 
you.  Then  art  thou  shamed,  said  the  lady,  and  destroyed 
for  ever.  As  for  world's  shame,  Jesu  defend  me,  and  as 
for  my  distress,  it  is  welcome  whatsoever  it  be  that  God 
sendeth  me. 


CH.IX  LAUNCELOT  FIGHTS  FOR  THE  QUEEN   421 

So  she  came  to  him  the  same  day  that  the  battle  should 
be,  and  said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  methinketh  ye  are  too  hard- 
hearted, but  wouldest  thou  but  kiss  me  once  I  should 
deliver  thee,  and  thine  armour,  and  the  best  horse  that  is 
within  Sir  Meliagrance's  stable.  As  for  to  kiss  you,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  I  may  do  that  and  lose  no  worship  ;  and 
wit  ye  well  an  I  understood  there  were  any  disworship 
for  to  kiss  you  I  would  not  do  it.  Then  he  kissed  her, 
and  then  she  gat  him,  and  brought  him  to  his  armour. 
And  when  he  was  armed,  she  brought  him  to  a  stable, 
where  stood  twelve  good  coursers,  and  bade  him  choose 
the  best.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  looked  upon  a  white 
courser  the  which  liked  him  best ;  and  anon  he  com- 
manded the  keepers  fast  to  saddle  him  with  the  best  saddle 
of  war  that  there  was  ;  and  so  it  was  done  as  he  bade. 
Then  gat  he  his  spear  in  his  hand,  and  his  sword  by  his 
side,  and  commended  the  lady  unto  God,  and  said  :  Lady, 
for  this  good  deed  I  shall  do  you  service  if  ever  it  be  in 
my  power. 


CHAPTER   IX 

How  Sir  Launcelot  came  the  same  time  that  Sir  Meliagrance 
abode  him  in  the  field  and  dressed  him  to  battle. 

Now  leave  we  Sir  Launcelot  wallop  all  that  he  might,  and 
speak  we  of  Queen  Guenever  that  was  brought  to  a  fire  to 
be  brent ;  for  Sir  Meliagrance  was  sure,  him  thought,  that 
Sir  Launcelot  should  not  be  at  that  battle  ;  therefore  he 
ever  cried  upon  King  Arthur  to  do  him  justice,  other-else 
bring  forth  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  Then  was  the  king 
and  all  the  court  full  sore  abashed  and  shamed  that  the 
queen  should  be  brent  in  the  default  of  Sir  Launcelot. 
My  lord  Arthur,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  ye  may  understand  that 
it  is  not  well  with  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  for  an  he  were 
alive,  so  he  be  not  sick  outher  in  prison,  wit  ye  well  he 
would  be  here  ;  for  never  heard  ye  that  ever  he  failed  his 
part  for  whom  he  should  do  battle  for.  And  therefore. 


422  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

said  Sir  Lavaine,  my  lord,  King  Arthur,  I  beseech  you 
give  me  license  to  do  battle  here  this  day  for  my  lord  and 
master,  and  for  to  save  my  lady,  the  queen.  Gramercy 
gentle  Sir  Lavaine,  said  King  Arthur,  for  I  dare  say  all 
that  Sir  Meliagrance  putteth  upon  my  lady  the  queen  is 
wrong,  for  I  have  spoken  with  all  the  ten  wounded 
knights,  and  there  is  not  one  of  them,  an  he  were  whole 
and  able  to  do  battle,  but  he  would  prove  upon  Sir 
Meliagrance's  body  that  it  is  false  that  he  putteth  upon 
my  queen.  So  shall  I,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  in  the  defence  of 
my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  an  ye  will  give  me  leave.  Now 
I  give  you  leave,  said  King  Arthur,  and  do  your  best, 
for  I  dare  well  say  there  is  some  treason  done  to  Sir 
Launcelot 

Then  was  Sir  Lavaine  armed  and  horsed,  and  suddenly 
at  the  lists'  end  he  rode  to  perform  this  battle  ;  and  right 
as  the  heralds  should  cry  :  Lesses  les  aler,  right  so  came  in 
Sir  Launcelot  driving  with  all  the  force  of  his  horse.  And 
then  Arthur  cried  •  Ho !  and  Abide !  Then  was  Sir 
Launcelot  called  on  horseback  to-fore  King  Arthur,  and 
there  he  told  openly  to-fore  the  king  and  all,  how  Sir 
Meliagrance  had  served  him  first  to  last.  And  when  the 
king,  and  the  queen,  and  all  the  lords,  knew  of  the 
treason  of  Sir  Meliagrance  they  were  all  ashamed  on  his 
behalf.  Then  was  Queen  Guenever  sent  for,  and  set  by  the 
king  in  great  trust  of  her  champion.  And  then  there  was 
no  more  else  to  say,  but  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Meliagrance 
dressed  them  unto  battle,  and  took  their  spears  ;  and  so 
they  came  together  as  thunder,  and  there  Sir  Launcelot 
bare  him  down  quite  over  his  horse's  croup.  And  then 
Sir  Launcelot  alighted  and  dressed  his  shield  on  his 
shoulder,  with  his  sword  in  his  hand,  and  Sir  Meliagrance 
in  the  same  wise  dressed  him  unto  him,  and  there  they 
smote  many  great  strokes  together;  and  at  the  last  Sir 
Launcelot  smote  him  such  a  buffet  upon  the  helmet  that 
he  fell  on  the  one  side  to  the  earth.  And  then  he  cried 
upon  him  aloud  :  Most  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake,  save  my  life,  for  I  yield  me  unto  you,  and  I  require 
you,  as  ye  be  a  knight  and  fellow  of  the  Table  Round, 


CH.  ix  LAUNCELOT  FIGHTS  FOR  THE  QUEEN  423 

slay  me  not,  for  I  yield  me  as  overcome ;  and  whether  I 
shall  live  or  die  I  put  me  in  the  king's  hands  and  yours. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  wist  not  what  to  do,  for  he  had  had 
liefer  than  all  the  good  of  the  world  he  might  have  been 
revenged  upon  Sir  Meliagrance  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot  looked 
up  to  the  Queen  Guenever,  if  he  might  espy  by  any  sign 
or  countenance  what  she  would  have  done.  And  then  the 
queen  wagged  her  head  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  as  though  she 
would  say  :  Slay  him.  Full  well  knew  Sir  Launcelot  by 
the  wagging  of  her  head  that  she  would  have  him  dead  ; 
then  Sir  Launcelot  bade  him  rise  for  shame  and  perform 
that  battle  to  the  utterance.  Nay,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  I 
will  never  arise  until  ye  take  me  as  yolden  and  recreant. 
I  shall  proffer  you  large  proffers,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that 
is  for  to  say,  I  shall  unarm  my  head  and  my  left  quarter 
of  my  body,  all  that  may  be  unarmed,  and  let  bind  my 
left  hand  behind  me,  so  that  it  shall  not  help  me,  and 
right  so  I  shall  do  battle  with  you.  Then  Sir  Meliagrance 
started  up  upon  his  legs,  and  said  on  high  :  My  lord 
Arthur,  take  heed  to  this  proffer,  for  I  will  take  it,  and 
let  him  be  disarmed  and  bounden  according  to  his  proffer. 
What  say  ye,  said  King  Arthur  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  will  ye 
abide  by  your  proffer  ?  Yea,  my  lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  will  never  go  from  that  I  have  once  said. 

Then  the  knights  parters  of  the  field  disarmed  Sir 
Launcelot,  first  his  head,  and  sithen  his  left  arm,  and  his 
left  side,  and  they  bound  his  left  arm  behind  his  back, 
without  shield  or  anything,  and  then  they  were  put 
together.  Wit  you  well  there  was  many  a  lady  and 
knight  marvelled  that  Sir  Launcelot  would  jeopardy  him- 
self in  such  wise.  Then  Sir  Meliagrance  came  with  his 
sword  all  on  high,  and  Sir  Launcelot  showed  him  openly 
his  bare  head  and  the  bare  left  side  ;  and  when  he  weened 
to  have  smitten  him  upon  the  bare  head,  then  lightly  he 
avoided  the  left  leg  and  the  left  side,  and  put  his  right 
hand  and  his  sword  to  that  stroke,  and  so  put  it  on  side 
with  great  sleight ;  and  then  with  great  force  Sir  Launcelot 
smote  him  on  the  helmet  such  a  buffet  that  the  stroke 
carved  the  head  in  two  parts.  Then  there  was  no  more 


424  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

to  do,  but  he  was  drawn  out  of  the  field.  And  at  the 
great  instance  of  the  knights  of  the  Table  Round,  the 
king  suffered  him  to  be  interred,  and  the  mention  made 
upon  him,  who  slew  him,  and  for  what  cause  he  was  slain ; 
and  then  the  king  and  the  queen  made  more  of  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake,  and  more  he  was  cherished,  than  ever 
he  was  aforehand. 


CHAPTER  X 

How  Sir  Urre  came  into  Arthur  s  court  for  to  be  healed  of 
his  wounds,  and  how  King  Arthur  would  begin  to  handle 
him. 

THEN  as  the  French  book  maketh  mention,  there  was  a 
good  knight  in  the  land  of  Hungary,  his  name  was  Sir 
Urre,  and  he  was  an  adventurous  knight,  and  in  all  places 
where  he  might  hear  of  any  deeds  of  worship  there  would 
he  be.  So  it  happened  in  Spain  there  was  an  earl's  son, 
his  name  was  Alphegus,  and  at  a  great  tournament  in 
Spain  this  Sir  Urre,  knight  of  Hungary,  and  Sir  Alphegus 
of  Spain  encountered  together  for  very  envy  ;  and  so 
either  undertook  other  to  the  utterance.  And  by  fortune 
Sir  Urre  slew  Sir  Alphegus,  the  earl's  son  of  Spain,  but 
this  knight  that  was  slain  had  given  Sir  Urre,  or  ever  he 
was  slain,  seven  great  wounds,  three  on  the  head,  and  four 
on  his  body  and  upon  his  left  hand.  And  this  Sir 
Alphegus  had  a  mother,  the  which  was  a  great  sorceress  ; 
and  she,  for  the  despite  of  her  son's  death,  wrought  by  her 
subtle  crafts  that  Sir  Urre  should  never  be  whole,  but  ever 
his  wounds  should  one  time  fester  and  another  time  bleed, 
so  that  he  should  never  be  whole  until  the  best  knight  of 
the  world  had  searched  his  wounds  ;  and  thus  she  made 
her  avaunt,  wherethrough  it  was  known  that  Sir  Urre 
should  never  be  whole. 

Then  his  mother  let  make  an  horse  litter,  and  put  him 
therein  under  two  palfreys  ;  and  then  she  took  Sir  Urre's 
sister  with  him,  a  full  fair  damosel,  whose  name  was 


CHAP,  x     HOW  SIR  URRE  CAME  TO  ARTHUR      425 

Felelolie  ;  and  then  she  took  a  page  with  him  to  keep 
their  horses,  and  so  they  led  Sir  Urre  through  many 
countries.  For  as  the  French  book  saith,  she  led  him  so 
seven  year  through  all  lands  christened,  and  never  she 
could  find  no  knight  that  might  ease  her  son.  So  she 
came  into  Scotland  and  into  the  lands  of  England,  and  by 
fortune  she  came  nigh  the  feast  of  Pentecost  until  King 
Arthur's  court,  that  at  that  time  was  holden  at  Carlisle. 
And  when  she  came  there,  then  she  made  it  openly  to  be 
known  how  that  she  was  come  into  that  land  for  to  heal 
her  son. 

Then  King  Arthur  let  call  that  lady,  and  asked  her 
the  cause  why  she  brought  that  hurt  knight  into  that 
land.  My  most  noble  king,  said  that  lady,  wit  you  well 
I  brought  him  hither  for  to  be  healed  of  his  wounds,  that 
of  all  this  seven  year  he  might  not  be  whole.  And  then 
she  told  the  king  where  he  was  wounded,  and  of  whom  ; 
and  how  his  mother  had  discovered  in  her  pride  how  she 
had  wrought  that  by  enchantment,  so  that  he  should  never 
be  whole  until  the  best  knight  of  the  world  had  searched 
his  wounds.  And  so  I  have  passed  through  all  the  lands 
christened  to  have  him  healed,  except  this  land.  And  if  I 
fail  to  heal  him  here  in  this  land,  I  will  never  take  more 
pain  upon  me,  and  that  is  pity,  for  he  was  a  good  knight, 
and  of  great  nobleness.  What  is  his  name  ?  said  Arthur 
My  good  and  gracious  lord,  she  said,  his  name  is  Sir  Urre 
of  the  Mount.  In  good  time,  said  the  king,  and  sith  ye 
are  come  into  this  land,  ye  are  right  welcome ;  and  wit 
you  well  here  shall  your  son  be  healed,  an  ever  any 
Christian  man  may  heal  him.  And  for  to  give  all  other 
men  of  worship  courage,  I  myself  will  assay  to  handle 
your  son,  and  so  shall  all  the  kings,  dukes,  and  earls  that 
be  here  present  with  me  at  this  time  ;  thereto  will  I  com- 
mand them,  and  well  I  wot  they  shall  obey  and  do  after 
my  commandment.  And  wit  you  well,  said  King  Arthur 
unto  Urre's  sister,  I  shall  begin  to  handle  him,  and  search 
unto  my  power,  not  presuming  upon  me  that  I  am  so 
worthy  to  heal  your  son  by  my  deeds,  but  I  will  courage 
other  men  of  worship  to  do  as  I  will  do.  And  then  the 


426  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

king  commanded  all  the  kings,  dukes,  and  earls,  and  all 
noble  knights  of  the  Round  Table  that  were  there  that 
time  present,  to  come  into  the  meadow  of  Carlisle.  And 
so  at  that  time  there  were  but  an  hundred  and  ten  of  the 
Round  Table,  for  forty  knights  were  that  time  away  ; 
and  so  here  we  must  begin  at  King  Arthur,  as  is  kindly  to 
begin  at  him  that  was  the  most  man  of  worship  that  was 
christened  at  that  time. 


CHAPTER  XI 

How  King  Arthur  handled  Sir  Urre,  and  after  him  many 
other  knights  of  the  Round  Table. 

THEN  King  Arthur  looked  upon  Sir  Urre,  and  the  king 
thought  he  was  a  full  likely  man  when  he  was  whole  ; 
and  then  King  Arthur  made  him  to  be  taken  down  off 
the  litter  and  laid  him  upon  the  earth,  and  there  was  laid 
a  cushion  of  gold  that  he  should  kneel  upon.  And  then 
noble  Arthur  said  :  Fair  knight,  me  repenteth  of  thy  hurt, 
and  for  to  courage  all  other  noble  knights  I  will  pray  thee 
softly  to  suffer  me  to  handle  your  wounds.  Most  noble 
christened  king,  said  Urre,  do  as  ye  list,  for  I  am  at  the 
mercy  of  God,  and  at  your  commandment.  So  then 
Arthur  softly  handled  him,  and  then  some  of  his  wounds 
renewed  upon  bleeding.  Then  the  King  Clarence  of 
Northumberland  searched,  and  it  would  not  be.  And 
then  Sir  Barant  le  Apres  that  was  called  the  King  with 
the  Hundred  Knights,  he  assayed  and  failed  ;  and  so  did 
King  Uriens  of  the  land  of  Gore  ;  so  did  King  Anguish 
of  Ireland  ;  so  did  King  Nentres  of  Garloth  ;  so  did  King 
Carados  of  Scotland  ;  so  did  the  Duke  Galahad,  the  haut 
prince  ;  so  did  Constantine,  that  was  Sir  Carados*  son  of 
Cornwall ;  so  did  Duke  Chaleins  of  Clarance  ;  so  did  the 
Earl  Ulbause  ;  so  did  the  Earl  Lambaile  ;  so  did  the  Earl 
Aristause. 

Then  came  in  Sir  Gawaine  with  his  three  sons,  Sir 


CHAP,  xi     OF  THE  KNIGHTS  AND  SIR  URRE       427 

Gingalin,  Sir  Florence,  and  Sir  Lovel,  these  two  were 
begotten  upon  Sir  Brandiles'  sister  ;  and  all  they  failed. 
Then  came  in  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir  Gaheris,  Sir  Mordred, 
and  the  good  knight,  Sir  Gareth,  that  was  of  very  knight- 
hood worth  all  the  brethren.  So  came  knights  of  Launce- 
lot's  kin,  but  Sir  Launcelot  was  not  that  time  in  the  court, 
for  he  was  that  time  upon  his  adventures.  Then  Sir 
Lionel,  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  Sir  Blamore 
de  Ganis,  Sir  Bleoberis  de  Ganis,  Sir  Gahalantine,  Sir  Gali- 
hodin,  Sir  Menaduke,  Sir  Villiars  the  Valiant,  Sir  Hebes  le 
Renoumes.  All  these  were  of  Sir  Launcelot's  kin,  and  all 
they  failed.  Then  came  in  Sir  Sagramore  le  Desirous,  Sir 
Dodinas  le  Savage,  Sir  Dinadan,  Sir  Bruin  le  Noire,  that 
Sir  Kay  named  La  Cote  Male  Taile,  and  Sir  Kay  le 
Seneschal,  Sir  Kay  de  Stranges,  Sir  Meliot  de  Logris,  Sir 
Petipase  of  Winchelsea,  Sir  Galleron  of  Galway,  Sir  Melion 
of  the  Mountain,  Sir  Cardok,  Sir  Uwaine  les  Avoutres, 
and  Sir  Ozanna  le  Cure  Hardy. 

Then  came  in  Sir  Astamor,  and  Sir  Gromere,  Grum- 
mor's  son,  Sir  Crosselm,  Sir  Servause  le  Breuse,  that  was 
called  a  passing  strong  knight,  for  as  the  book  saith,  the 
chief  Lady  of  the  Lake  feasted  Sir  Launcelot  and  Servause 
le  Breuse,  and  when  she  had  feasted  them  both  at  sundry 
times  she  prayed  them  to  give  her  a  boon.  And  they 
granted  it  her.  And  then  she  prayed  Sir  Servause  that  he 
would  promise  her  never  to  do  battle  against  Sir  Launcelot 
du  Lake,  and  in  the  same  wise  she  prayed  Sir  Launcelot 
never  to  do  battle  against  Sir  Servause,  and  so  either 
promised  her.  For  the  French  book  saith,  that  Sir 
Servause  had  never  courage  nor  lust  to  do  battle  against 
no  man,  but  if  it  were  against  giants,  and  against  dragons, 
and  wild  beasts.  So  we  pass  unto  them  that  at  the  king's 
request  made  them  all  that  were  there  at  that  high  feast, 
as  of  the  knights  of  the  Table  Round,  for  to  search  Sir 
Urre  :  to  that  intent  the  king  did  it,  to  wit  which  was 
the  noblest  knight  among  them. 

Then  came  Sir  Aglovale,  Sir  Durnore,  Sir  Tor,  that 
was  begotten  upon  Aries,  the  cowherd's  wife,  but  he  was 
begotten  afore  Aries  wedded  her,  and  King  Pellinbre  begat 


428  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

them  all,  first  Sir  Tor,  Sir  Aglovale,  Sir  Durnore,  Sir 
Lamorak,  the  most  noblest  knight  one  that  ever  was  in 
Arthur's  days  as  for  a  worldly  knight,  and  Sir  Percivale 
that  was  peerless  except  Sir  Galahad  in  holy  deeds,  but 
they  died  in  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal.  Then  came  Sir 
Griflet  le  Fise  de  Dieu,  Sir  Lucan  the  Butler,  Sir  Bedevere 
his  brother,  Sir  Brandiles,  Sir  Constantine,  Sir  Cador's  son 
of  Cornwall,  that  was  king  after  Arthur's  days,  and  Sir 
Clegis,  Sir  Sadok,  Sir  Dinas  le  Seneschal  of  Cornwall,  Sir 
Fergus,  Sir  Driant,  Sir  Lambegus,  Sir  Clarrus  of  Clere- 
mont,  Sir  Cloddrus,  Sir  Hectimere,  Sir  Edward  of  Car- 
narvon, Sir  Dinas,  Sir  Priamus,  that  was  christened  by  Sir 
Tristram  the  noble  knight,  and  these  three  were  brethren  ; 
Sir  Hellaine  le  Blank  that  was  son  to  Sir  Bors,  he  begat 
him  upon  King  Brandegoris'  daughter,  and  Sir  Brian  de 
Listinoise  ;  Sir  Gautere,  Sir  Reynold,  Sir  Gillemere,  were 
three  brethren  that  Sir  Launcelot  won  upon  a  bridge  in 
Sir  Kay's  arms.  Sir  Guyart  le  Petite,  Sir  Bellangere  le 
Beuse,  that  was  son  to  the  good  knight,  Sir  Alisander  le 
Orphelin,  that  was  slain  by  the  treason  of  King  Mark. 
Also  that  traitor  king  slew  the  noble  knight  Sir  Tristram, 
as  he  sat  harping  afore  his  lady  La  Beale  Isoud,  with  a 
trenchant  glaive,  for  whose  death  was  much  bewailing  of 
every  knight  that  ever  were  in  Arthur's  days  ;  there  was 
never  none  so  bewailed  as  was  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir 
Lamorak,  for  they  were  traitorously  slain,  Sir  Tristram 
by  King  Mark,  and  Sir  Lamorak  by  Sir  Gawaine  and  his 
brethren.  And  this  Sir  Bellangere  revenged  the  death  of 
his  father  Alisander,  and  Sir  Tristram  slew  King  Mark, 
and  La  Beale  Isoud  died  swooning  upon  the  corse  of  Sir 
Tristram,  whereof  was  great  pity.  And  all  that  were 
with  King  Mark  that  were  consenting  to  the  death  of  Sir 
Tristram  were  slain,  as  Sir  Andred  and  many  other. 

Then  came  Sir  Hebes,  Sir  Morganore,  Sir  Sentraile, 
Sir  Suppinabilis,  Sir  Bellangere  le  Orgulous,  that  the  good 
knight  Sir  Lamorak  won  in  plain  battle  ;  Sir  Nerovens 
and  Sir  Plenorius,  two  good  knights  that  Sir  Launcelot 
won  ;  Sir  Darras,  Sir  Harry  le  Fise  Lake,  Sir  Erminide, 
brother  to  King  Hermaunce,  for  whom  Sir  Palomides 


CH.  xii   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  KING  ARTHUR    429 

fought  at  the  Red  City  with  two  brethren  ;  and  Sir  Selises 
of  the  Dolorous  Tower,  Sir  Edward  of  Orkney,  Sir  Iron- 
side, that  was  called  the  noble  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds 
that  Sir  Gareth  won  for  the  love  of  Dame  Liones,  Sir 
Arrok  de  Grevaunt,  Sir  Degrane  Saunce  Velany  that 
fought  with  the  giant  of  the  black  lowe,  Sir  Epinogris, 
that  was  the  king's  son  of  Northumberland.  Sir  Pelleas 
that  loved  the  lady  Ettard,  and  he  had  died  for  her  love 
had  not  been  one  of  the  ladies  of  the  lake,  her  name  was 
Dame  Nimue,  and  she  wedded  Sir  Pelleas,  and  she  saved 
him  that  he  was  never  slain,  and  he  was  a  full  noble 
knight ;  and  Sir  Lamiel  of  Cardiff  that  was  a  great  lover. 
Sir  Plaine  de  Fors,  Sir  Melleaus  de  Lile,  Sir  Bohart  le 
Cure  Hardy  that  was  King  Arthur's  son,  Sir  Mador  de  la 
Porte,  Sir  Colgrevance,  Sir  Hervise  de  la  Forest  Savage, 
Sir  Marrok,  the  good  knight  that  was  betrayed  with  his 
wife,  for  she  made  him  seven  year  a  wer-wolf,  Sir  Persaunt, 
Sir  Pertilope,  his  brother,  that  was  called  the  Green 
Knight,  and  Sir  Perimones,  brother  to  them  both,  that 
was  called  the  Red  Knight,  that  Sir  Gareth  won  when  he 
was  called  Beaumains.  All  these  hundred  knights  and 
ten  searched  Sir  Urre's  wounds  by  the  commandment  of 
King  Arthur. 


CHAPTER  XII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  commanded  by  Arthur  to  handle  his 
wounds,  and  anon  he  was  all  whole,  and  how  they 
thanked  God. 

MERCY  Jesu,  said  King  Arthur,  where  is  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake  that  he  is  not  here  at  this  time  ?  Thus,  as  they 
stood  and  spake  of  many  things,  there  was  espied  Sir 
Launcelot  that  came  riding  toward  them,  and  told  the 
king.  Peace,  said  the  king,  let  no  manner  thing  be  said 
until  he  be  come  to  us.  So  when  Sir  Launcelot  espied 
King  Arthur,  he  descended  from  his  horse  and  came  to 
the  king,  and  saluted  him  and  them  all.  Anon  as  the 


430  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

maid,  Sir  Urre's  sister,  saw  Sir  Laimcelot,  she  ran  to  her 
brother  thereas  he  lay  in  his  litter,  and  said  :  Brother, 
here  is  come  a  knight  that  my  heart  giveth  greatly  unto. 
Fair  sister,  said  Sir  Urre,  so  doth  my  heart  light  against 
him,  and  certainly  I  hope  now  to  be  healed,  for  my 
heart  giveth  unto  him  more  than  to  all  these  that  have 
searched  me. 

Then  said  Arthur  unto  Sir  Launcelot :  Ye  must  do  as 
we  have  done  ;  and  told  Sir  Launcelot  what  they  had 
done,  and  showed  him  them  all,  that  had  searched  him. 
Jesu  defend  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  when  so  many  kings 
and  knights  have  assayed  and  failed,  that  I  should  pre- 
sume upon  me  to  enchieve  that  all  ye,  my  lords,  might  not 
enchieve.  Ye  shall  not  choose,  said  King  Arthur,  for  I 
will  command  you  for  to  do  as  we  all  have  done.  My 
most  renowned  lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  know  well 
I  dare  not  nor  may  not  disobey  your  commandment,  but 
an  I  might  or  durst,  wit  you  well  I  would  not  take  upon 
me  to  touch  that  wounded  knight  in  that  intent  that  I 
should  pass  all  other  knights  ;  Jesu  defend  me  from  that 
shame.  Ye  take  it  wrong,  said  King  Arthur,  ye  shall  not 
do  it  for  no  presumption,  but  for  to  bear  us  fellowship, 
insomuch  ye  be  a  fellow  of  the  Table  Round  ;  and  wit  you 
well,  said  King  Arthur,  an  ye  prevail  not  and  heal  him, 
I  dare  say  there  is  no  knight  in  this  land  may  heal  him, 
and  therefore  I  pray  you,  do  as  we  have  done. 

And  then  all  the  kings  and  knights  for  the  most  part 
prayed  Sir  Launcelot  to  search  him ;  and  then  the 
wounded  knight,  Sir  Urre,  set  him  up  weakly,  and  prayed 
Sir  Launcelot  heartily,  saying :  Courteous  knight,  I 
require  thee  for  God's  sake  heal  my  wounds,  for  me- 
thinketh  ever  sithen  ye  came  here  my  wounds  grieve  me 
not.  Ah,  my  fair  lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  Jesu  would 
that  I  might  help  you  ;  I  shame  me  sore  that  I  should  be 
thus  rebuked,  for  never  was  I  able  in  worthiness  to  do  so 
high  a  thing.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  kneeled  down  by  the 
wounded  knight  saying  :  My  lord  Arthur,  I  must  do 
your  commandment,  the  which  is  sore  against  my  heart. 
And  then  he  held  up  his  hands,  and  looked  into  the  east, 


CHAP,  xni      HOW  SIR  URRE  WAS  HEALED  431 

saying  secretly  unto  himself:  Thou  blessed  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Ghost,  I  beseech  thee  of  thy  mercy,  that  my 
simple  worship  and  honesty  be  saved,  and  thou  blessed 
Trinity,  thou  mayst  give  power  to  heal  this  sick  knight 
by  thy  great  virtue  and  grace  of  thee,  but,  Good  Lord, 
never  of  myself.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  prayed  Sir 
Urre  to  let  him  see  his  head  ;  and  then  devoutly  kneeling 
he  ransacked  the  three  wounds,  that  they  bled  a  little,  and 
forthwith  all  the  wounds  fair  healed,  and  seemed  as  they 
had  been  whole  a  seven  year.  And  in  likewise  he  searched 
his  body  of  other  three  wounds,  and  they  healed  in  like- 
wise ;  and  then  the  last  of  all  he  searched  the  which  was 
in  his  hand,  and  anon  it  healed  fair. 

Then  King  Arthur  and  all  the  kings  and  knights 
kneeled  down  and  gave  thankings  and  lovings  unto  God 
and  to  His  Blessed  Mother.  And  ever  Sir  Launcelot 
wept  as  he  had  been  a  child  that  had  been  beaten.  Then 
King  Arthur  let  array  priests  and  clerks  in  the  most 
devoutest  manner,  to  bring  in  Sir  Urre  within  Carlisle, 
with  singing  and  loving  to  God.  And  when  this  was 
done,  the  king  let  clothe  him  in  the  richest  manner  that 
could  be  thought ;  and  then  were  there  but  few  better 
made  knights  in  all  the  court,  for  he  was  passingly  well 
made  and  bigly  ;  and  Arthur  asked  Sir  Urre  how  he  felt 
himself.  My  good  lord,  he  said,  I  felt  myself  never  so 
lusty.  Will  ye  joust  and  do  deeds  of  arms  ?  said  King 
Arthur.  Sir,  said  Urre,  an  I  had  all  that  longed  unto 
jousts  I  would  be  soon  ready. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

How  there  was  a  -party  made  of  an  hundred  knights  against 
an  hundred  knights  ^  and  of  other  matters. 

THEN  Arthur  made  a  party  of  hundred  knights  to  be 
against  an  hundred  knights.  And  so  upon  the  morn  they 
jousted  for  a  diamond,  but  there  jousted  none  of  the 


432  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xix 

dangerous  knights  ;  and  so  for  to  shorten  this  tale,  Sir 
Urre  and  Sir  Lavaine  jousted  best  that  day,  for  there  was 
none  of  them  but  he  overthrew  and  pulled  down  thirty 
knights  ;  and  then  by  the  assent  of  all  the  kings  and 
lords,  Sir  Urre  and  Sir  Lavaine  were  made  knights  of  the 
Table  Round.  And  Sir  Lavaine  cast  his  love  unto  Dame 
Felelolie,  Sir  Urre's  sister,  and  then  they  were  wedded 
together  with  great  joy,  and  King  Arthur  gave  to  everych 
of  them  a  barony  of  lands.  And  this  Sir  Urre  would 
never  go  from  Sir  Launcelot,  but  he  and  Sir  Lavaine 
awaited  evermore  upon  him  ;  and  they  were  in  all  the 
court  accounted  for  good  knights,  and  full  desirous  in 
arms ;  and  many  noble  deeds  they  did,  for  they  would 
have  no  rest,  but  ever  sought  adventures. 

Thus  they  lived  in  all  that  court  with  great  noblesse 
and  joy  long  time.  But  every  night  and  day  Sir  Agravaine, 
Sir  Gawaine's  brother,  awaited  Queen  Guenever  and  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake  to  put  them  to  a  rebuke  and  shame. 
And  so  I  leave  here  of  this  tale,  and  overskip  great  books 
of  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  what  great  adventures  he  did 
when  he  was  called  Le  Chevaler  du  Chariot.  For  as  the 
French  book  saith,  because  of  despite  that  knights  and 
ladies  called  him  the  knight  that  rode  in  the  chariot  like 
as  he  were  judged  to  the  gallows,  therefore  in  despite  of 
all  them  that  named  him  so,  he  was  carried  in  a  chariot  a 
twelvemonth,  for,  but  little  after  that  he  had  slain  Sir 
Meliagrance  in  the  queen's  quarrel,  he  never  in  a  twelve- 
month came  on  horseback.  And  as  the  French  book 
saith,  he  did  that  twelvemonth  more  than  forty  battles. 
And  because  I  have  lost  the  very  matter  of  Le  Chevaler 
du  Chariot,  I  depart  from  the  tale  of  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
here  I  go  unto  the  morte  of  King  Arthur  ;  and  that 
caused  Sir  Agravaine. 

Explicit  liber  xix, 

ijereafter  follofoetjj  tfje  most  piteous  fjistorg  of  tfje 
morte  of  I&ins  Srtijur,  tlje  fofjicfj  is  tfje  tfoentietfj  fcooft. 


BOOK    XX 


CHAPTER   I 

How  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred  were  busy  upon  Sir 
Gawaine  for  to  disclose  the  love  between  Sir  Launcelol 
and  Queen  Guenever. 

IN  May  when  every  lusty  heart  flourisheth  and  bour- 
geoneth,  for  as  the  season  is  lusty  to  behold  and  comfort- 
able, so  man  and  woman  rejoice  and  gladden  of  summer 
coming  with  his  fresh  flowers  :  for  winter  with  his  rough 
winds  and  blasts  causeth  a  lusty  man  and  woman  to  cower, 
and  sit  fast  by  the  fire.  So  in  this  season,  as  in  the  month 
of  May,  it  befell  a  great  anger  and  unhap  that  stinted  not 
till  the  flower  of  chivalry  of  all  the  world  was  destroyed 
and  slain  ;  and  all  was  long  upon  two  unhappy  knights, 
the  which  were  named  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred,  that 
were  brethren  unto  Sir  Gawaine.  For  this  Sir  Agravaine 
and  Sir  Mordred  had  ever  a  privy  hate  unto  the  queen 
Dame  Guenever  and  to  Sir  Launcelot,  and  daily  and 
nightly  they  ever  watched  upon  Sir  Launcelot. 

So  it  mishapped,  Sir  Gawaine  and  all  his  brethren  were  in 
King  Arthur's  chamber ;  and  then  Sir  Agravaine  said  thus 
openly,  and  not  in  no  counsel,  that  many  knights  might 
hear  it :  I  marvel  that  we  all  be  not  ashamed  both  to  see 
and  to  know  how  Sir  Launcelot  lieth  daily  and  nightly  by 
the  queen,  and  all  we  know  it  so  ;  and  it  is  shamefully 
suffered  of  us  all,  that  we  all  should  suffer  so  noble  a  king 
as  King  Arthur  is  so  to  be  shamed. 

Then  spake  Sir  Gawaine,  and  said  :  Brother  Sir  Agra- 

VOL.   II  2   F 


434  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

vaine,  I  pray  you  and  charge  you  move  no  such  matters 
no  more  afore  me,  for  wit  you  well,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I 
will  not  be  of  your  counsel.  So  God  me  help,  said  Sir 
Gaheris  and  Sir  Gareth,  we  will  not  be  knowing,  brother 
Agravaine,  of  your  deeds.  Then  will  I,  said  Sir  Mordred. 
I  lieve  well  that,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  for  ever  unto  all  un- 
happiness,  brother  Sir  Mordred,  thereto  will  ye  grant ; 
and  I  would  that  ye  left  all  this,  and  made  you  not  so 
busy,  for  I  know,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  what  will  fall  of  it. 
Fall  of  it  what  fall  may,  said  Sir  Agravaine,  I  will  disclose 
it  to  the  king.  Not  by  my  counsel,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  for 
an  there  rise  war  and  wrack  betwixt  Sir  Launcelot  and  us, 
wit  you  well  brother,  there  will  many  kings  and  great 
lords  hold  with  Sir  Launcelot.  Also,  brother  Sir  Agra- 
vaine, said  Sir  Gawaine,  ye  must  remember  how  ofttimes 
Sir  Launcelot  hath  rescued  the  king  and  the  queen ;  and 
the  best  of  us  all  had  been  full  cold  at  the  heart-root  had  not 
Sir  Launcelot  been  better  than  we,  and  that  hath  he  proved 
himself  full  oft.  And  as  for  my  part,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I 
will  never  be  against  Sir  Launcelot  for  one  day's  deed, 
when  he  rescued  me  from  King  Carados  of  the  Dolorous 
Tower,  and  slew  him,  and  saved  my  life.  Also,  brother 
Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred,  in  like  wise  Sir  Launcelot 
rescued  you  both,  and  threescore  and  two,  from  Sir  Tur- 
quin.  Methinketh  brother,  such  kind  deeds  and  kindness 
should  be  remembered.  Do  as  ye  list,  said  Sir  Agravaine, 
for  I  will  lain  it  no  longer.  With  these  words  came  to 
them  King  Arthur.  Now  brother,  stint  your  noise,  said 
Sir  Gawaine.  We  will  not,  said  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir 
Mordred.  Will  ye  so  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine ;  then  God 
speed  you,  for  I  will  not  hear  your  tales  ne  be  of  your 
counsel.  No  more  will  I,  said  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Gaheris, 
for  we  will  never  say  evil  by  that  man  ;  for  because,  said 
Sir  Gareth,  Sir  Launcelot  made  me  knight,  by  no  manner 
owe  I  to  say  ill  of  him  :  and  therewithal  they  three 
departed,  making  great  dole.  Alas,  said  Sir  Gawaine  and 
/  Sir  Gareth,  now  is  this  realm  wholly  mjsciueYgd,  and  the 
/  noble  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table^  shall  be  ~ 

1  so  theydcparted. 


CH.  ii    OF  AGRAVAINE  AND  KING  ARTHUR      435 


CHAPTER   II 

How  Sir  Agravaine  disclosed  their  love  to  King  Arthur, 
and  how  King  Arthur  gave  them  licence  to  take  him. 

AND  then  Sir  Arthur  asked  them  what  noise  they  made. 
My  lord,  said  Agravaine,  I  shall  tell  you  that  I  may  keep 
no  longer.  Here  is  I,  and  my  brother  Sir  Mordred, 
brake  unto  my  brothers  Sir  Gawaine,  Sir  Gaheris,  and  to 
Sir  Gareth,  how  this  we  know  all,  that  Sir  Launcelot 
holdeth  your  queen,  and  hath  done  long  ;  and  we  be  your 
sister's  sons,  and  we  may  suffer  it  no  longer,  and  all  we 
wot  that  ye  should  be  above  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  ye  are 
the  king  that  made  him  knight,  and  therefore  we  will 
prove  it,  that  he  is  a  traitor  to  your  person. 

If  it  be  so,  said  Sir  Arthur,  wit  you  well  he  is  none 
other,  but  I  would  be  loath  to  begin  such  a  thing  but  I 
might  have  proofs  upon  it ;  for  Sir  Launcelot  is  an  hardy 
knight,  and  all  ye  know  he  is  the  best  knight  among  us 
all ;  and  but  if  he  be  taken  with  the  deed,  he  will  fight 
with  him  that  bringeth  up  the  noise,  and  I  know  no 
knight  that  is  able  to  match  him.  Therefore  an  it  be 
sooth  as  ye  say,  I  would  he  were  taken  with  the  deed. 
For  as  the  French  book  saith,  the  king  was  full  loath 
thereto,  that  any  noise  should  be  upon  Sir  Launcelot  and 
his  queen ;  for  the  king  had  a  deeming,  but  he  would  not 
hear  of  it,  for  Sir  Launcelot  had  done  so  much  for  him 
and  the  queen  so  many  times,  that  wit  ye  well  the  king 
loved  him  passingly  well.  My  lord,  said  Sir  Agravaine, 
ye  shall  ride  to-morn  a-hunting,  and  doubt  ye  not  Sir 
Launcelot  will  not  go  with  you.  Then  when  it  draweth 
toward  night,  ye  may  send  the  queen  word  that  ye  will  lie 
out  all  that  night,  and  so  may  ye  send  for  your  cooks, 
and  then  upon  pain  of  death  we  shall  take  him  that  night 
with  the  queen,  and  outher  we  shall  bring  him  to  you 
dead  or  quick.  I  will  well,  said  the  king  ;  then  I  counsel 
you,  said  the  king,  take  with  you  sure  fellowship.  Sir, 


436  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

said  Agravaine,  my  brother,  Sir  Mordred,  and  I,  will  take 
with  us  twelve  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  Beware, 
said  King  Arthur,  for  I  warn  you  ye  shall  find  him  wight. 
Let  us  deal,  said  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred. 

So  on  the  morn  King  Arthur  rode  a-hunting,  and  sent 
word  to  the  queen  that  he  would  be  out  all  that  night. 
Then  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred  gat  to  them  twelve 
knights,  and  hid  themself  in  a  chamber  in  the  Castle  of 
Carlisle,  and  these  were  their  names  :  Sir  Colgrevance,  Sir 
Mador  de  la  Porte,  Sir  Gingaline,  Sir  Meliot  de  Logris, 
Sir  Petipase  of  Winchelsea,  Sir  Galleron  of  Galway,  Sir 
Melion  of  the  Mountain,  Sir  Astamore,  Sir  Gromore 
Somir  Joure,  Sir  Curselaine,  Sir  Florence,  Sir  Lovel.  So 
these  twelve  knights  were  with  Sir  Mordred  and  Sir 
Agravaine,  and  all  they  were  of  Scotland,  outher  of  Sir 
Gawaine's  kin,  either  well-willers  to  his  brethren. 

So  when  the  night  came,  Sir  Launcelot  told  Sir  Bors 
how  he  would  go  that  night  and  speak  with  the  queen. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  ye  shall  not  go  this  night  by  my  counsel. 
Why  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot.  Sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  I  dread  me 
ever  of  Sir  Agravaine,  that  waiteth  you  daily  to  do  you 
shame  and  us  all ;  and  never  gave  my  heart  against  no 
going,  that  ever  ye  went  to  the  queen,  so  much  as  now  ; 
for  I  mistrust  that  the  king  is  out  this  night  from  the 
queen  because  peradventure  he  hath  lain  some  watch  for 
you  and  the  queen,  and  therefore  I  dread  me  sore  of 
treason.  Have  ye  no  dread,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  I 
shall  go  and  come  again,  and  make  no  tarrying.  Sir,  said 
Sir  Bors,  that  me  repenteth,  for  I  dread  me  sore  that  your 
going  out  this  night  shall  wrath  us  all.  Fair  nephew, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  marvel  much  why  ye  say  thus,  sithen 
the  queen  hath  sent  for  me  ;  and  wit  ye  well  I  will  not  be 
so  much  a  coward,  but  she  shall  understand  I  will  see  her 
good  grace.  God  speed  you  well,  said  Sir  Bors,  and  send 
you  sound  and  safe  again. 


CH.  in     OF  THE  QUEEN  AND  LAUNCELOT         437 


CHAPTER   III 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  espied  in  the  queen  s  chamber \  and 
how  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred  came  with  twelve 
knights  to  slay  him. 

So  Sir  Launcelot  departed,  and  took  his  sword  under  his  arm, 
and  so  in  his  mantle  that  noble  knight  put  himself  in  great 
jeopardy ;  and  so  he  passed  till  he  came  to  the  queen's 
chamber,  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  was  lightly  put  into  the 
chamber.  And  then,  as  the  French  book  saith,  the  queen 
and  Launcelot  were  together.  And  whether  they  were 
abed  or  at  other  manner  of  disports,  me  list  not  hereof 
make  no  mention,  for  love  that  time  was  not  as  is  now-a- 
days.  But  thus  as  they  were  together,  there  came  Sir 
Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred,  with  twelve  knights  with 
them  of  the  Round  Table,  and  they  said  with  crying 
voice  :  Traitor-knight,  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  now  art 
thou  taken.  And  thus  they  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  that 
all  the  court  might  hear  it ;  and  they  all  fourteen  were 
armed  at  all  points  as  they  should  fight  in  a  battle.  Alas, 
said  Queen  Guenever,  now  are  we  mischieved  both. 
Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  is  there  here  any  armour 
within  your  chamber,  that  I  might  cover  my  poor  body 
withal  ?  An  if  there  be  any  give  it  me,  and  I  shall  soon 
stint  their  malice,  by  the  grace  of  God.  Truly,  said  the 
queen,  I  have  none  armour,  shield,  sword,  nor  spear ; 
wherefore  I  dread  me  sore  our  long  love  is  come  to  a 
mischievous  end,  for  I  hear  by  their  noise  there  be  many 
noble  knights,  and  well  I  wot  they  be  surely  armed  ; 
against  them  ye  may  make  no  resistance.  Wherefore  ye 
are  likely  to  be  slain,  and  then  shall  I  be  brent.  For  an 
ye  might  escape  them,  said  the  queen,  I  would  not  doubt 
but  that  ye  would  rescue  me  in  what  danger  that  ever  I 
stood  in.  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  in  all  my  life  thus 
was  I  never  bestead,  that  I  should  be  thus  shamefully 
slain  for  lack  of  mine  armour. 


438  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

But  ever  in  one  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred  cried  : 
Traitor-knight,  come  out  of  the  queen's  chamber,  for  wit 
thou  well  thou  art  so  beset  that  thou  shalt  not  escape. 
O  Jesu  mercy,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  this  shameful  cry  and 
noise  I  may  not  suffer,  for  better  were  death  at  once  than 
thus  to  endure  this  pain.  Then  he  took  the  queen  in  his 
arms,  and  kissed  her,  and  said  :  Most  noble  Christian 
queen,  I  beseech  you  as  ye  have  been  ever  my  special  good 
lady,  and  I  at  all  times  your  true  poor  knight  unto  my 
power,  and  as  I  never  failed  you  in  right  nor  in  wrong 
sithen  the  first  day  King  Arthur  made  me  knight,  that  ye 
will  pray  for  my  soul  if  that  I  here  be  slain  ;  for  well  I 
am  assured  that  Sir  Bors,  my  nephew,  and  all  the  remnant 
of  my  kin,  with  Sir  Lavaine  and  Sir  Urre,  that  they  will 
not  fail  you  to  rescue  you  from  the  fire ;  and  therefore,  mine 
own  lady,  recomfort  yourself,  whatsomever  come  of  me, 
that  ye  go  with  Sir  Bors,  my  nephew,  and  Sir  Urre,  and 
they  all  will  do  you  all  the  pleasure  that  they  can  or  may, 
that  ye  shall  live  like  a  queen  upon  my  lands.  Nay, 
Launcelot,  said  the  queen,  wit  thou  well  I  will  never  live 
after  thy  days,  but  an  thou  be  slain  I  will  take  my  death 
as  meekly  for  Jesu  Christ's  sake  as  ever  did  any  Christian 
queen.  Well,  madam,  said  Launcelot,  sith  it  is  so  that 
the  day  is  come  that  our  love  must  depart,  wit  you  well  I 
shall  sell  my  life  as  dear  as  I  may  ;  and  a  thousandfold, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  am  more  heavier  for  you  than  for 
myself.  And  now  I  had  liefer  than  to  be  lord  of  all 
Christendom,  that  I  had  sure  armour  upon  me,  that  men 
might  speak  of  my  deeds  or  ever  I  were  slain.  Truly, 
said  the  queen,  I  would  an  it  might  please  God  that  they 
would  take  me  and  slay  me,  and  suffer  you  to  escape. 
That  shall  never  be,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  God  defend  me 
from  such  a  shame,  but  Jesu  be  Thou  my  shield  and  mine 
armour  1 


CH.  iv    OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  COLGREVANCE    439 


CHAPTER   IV 

How  Sir  Launcelot  slew  Sir  Cotgrevance,  and  armed  him  in 
his  harness^  and  after  slew  Sir  Agravaine,  and  twelve 
of  his  fellows. 

AND  therewith  Sir  Launcelot  wrapped  his  mantle  about 
his  arm  well  and  surely  ;  and  by  then  they  had  gotten  a 
great  form  out  of  the  hall,  and  therewithal  they  rashed 
at  the  door.  Fair  lords,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  leave  your 
noise  and  your  rashing,  and  I  shall  set  open  this  door,  and 
then  may  ye  do  with  me  what  it  liketh  you.  Come  off 
then,  said  they  all,  and  do  it,  for  it  availeth  thee  not  to 
strive  against  us  all ;  and  therefore  let  us  into  this 
chamber,  and  we  shall  save  thy  life  until  thou  come  to 
King  Arthur.  Then  Launcelot  unbarred  the  door,  and 
with  his  left  hand  he  held  it  open  a  little,  so  that  but  one 
man  might  come  in  at  once  ;  and  so  there  came  striding  a 
good  knight,  a  much  man  and  large,  and  his  name  was 
Colgrevance  of  Gore,  and  he  with  a  sword  struck  at  Sir 
Launcelot  mightily  ;  and  he  put  aside  the  stroke,  and 
gave  him  such  a  buffet  upon  the  helmet,  that  he  fell 
grovelling  dead  within  the  chamber  door.  And  then  Sir 
Launcelot  with  great  might  drew  that  dead  knight  within 
the  chamber  door  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot  with  help  of  the 
queen  and  her  ladies  was  lightly  armed  in  Sir  Colgrevance's 
armour. 

And  ever  stood  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred 
crying  :  Traitor-knight,  come  out  of  the  queen's  chamber. 
Leave  your  noise,  said  Sir  Launcelot  unto  Sir  Agravaine, 
for  wit  you  well,  Sir  Agravaine,  ye  shall  not  prison  me 
this  night ;  and  therefore  an  ye  do  by  my  counsel,  go  ye 
all  from  this  chamber  door,  and  make  not  such  crying  and 
such  manner  of  slander  as  ye  do  ;  for  I  promise  you  by 
my  knighthood,  an  ye  will  depart  and  make  no  more 
noise,  I  shall  as  to-morn  appear  afore  you  all  before  the 
king,  and  then  let  it  be  seen  which  of  you  all,  outher  else 


440  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

ye  all,  that  will  accuse  me  of  treason  ;  and  there  I  shall 
answer  you  as  a  knight  should,  that  hither  I  came  to  the 
queen  for  no  manner  of  mal  engin,  and  that  will  I  prove 
and  make  it  good  upon  you  with  my  hands.  Fie  on  thee, 
traitor,  said  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred,  we  will  have 
thee  maugre  thy  head,  and  slay  thee  if  we  list ;  for  we  let 
thee  wit  we  have  the  choice  of  King  Arthur  to  save  thee 
or  to  slay  thee.  Ah  sirs,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  is  there  none 
other  grace  with  you  ?  then  keep  yourself. 

So  then  Sir  Launcelot  set  all  open  the  chamber  door, 
and  mightily  and  knightly  he  strode  in  amongst  them  ; 
and  anon  at  the  first  buffet  he  slew  Sir  Agravaine.  And 
twelve  of  his  fellows  after,  within  a  little  while  after,  he 
laid  them  cold  to  the  earth,  for  there  was  none  of  the 
twelve  that  might  stand  Sir  Launcelot  one  buffet.  Also 
Sir  Launcelot  wounded  Sir  Mordred,  and  he  fled  with  all 
his  might.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  returned  again  unto 
the  queen,  and  said  :  Madam,  now  wit  you  well  all  our 
true  love  is  brought  to  an  end,  for  now  will  King  Arthur 
ever  be  my  foe  ;  and  therefore,  madam,  an  it  like  you 
that  I  may  have  you  with  me,  I  shall  save  you  from  all 
manner  adventures  dangerous.  That  is  not  best,  said  the 
queen  ;  meseemeth  now  ye  have  done  so  much  harm,  it 
will  be  best  ye  hold  you  still  with  this.  And  if  ye  see 
that  as  to-morn  they  will  put  me  unto  the  death,  then 
may  ye  rescue  me  as  ye  think  best.  I  will  well,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  for  have  ye  no  doubt,  while  I  am  living  I  shall 
rescue  you.  And  then  he  kissed  her,  and  either  gave 
other  a  ring  ;  and  so  there  he  left  the  queen,  and  went 
until  his  lodging. 

CHAPTER  V 

How  Sir  Launcelot  came  to  Sir  Bors,  and  told  him  how  he 
had  sped,  and  in  what  adventure  he  had  been,  and  how 
he  had  escaped. 

WHEN  Sir  Bors  saw  Sir  Launcelot  he  was  never  so  glad  of 
his  home-coming  as  he  was  then.  Jesu  mercy,  said  Sir 


CHAP,  v  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT'S  KIN  441 

Launcelot,  why  be  ye  all  armed  :  what  meaneth  this  ? 
Sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  after  ye  were  departed  from  us,  we  all 
that  be  of  your  blood  and  your  well- wilier s  were  so 
dretched  that  some  of  us  leapt  out  of  our  beds  naked, 
and  some  in  their  dreams  caught  naked  swords  in  their 
hands  ;  therefore,  said  Sir  Bors,  we  deem  there  is  some 
great  strife  at  hand  ;  and  then  we  all  deemed  that  ye  were 
betrapped  with  some  treason,  and  therefore  we  made  us 
thus  ready,  what  need  that  ever  ye  were  in. 

My  fair  nephew,  said  Sir  Launcelot  unto  Sir  Bors, 
now  shall  ye  wit  all,  that  this  night  I  was  more  harder 
bestead  than  ever  I  was  in  my  life,  and  yet  I  escaped. 
And  so  he  told  them  all  how  and  in  what  manner,  as  ye 
have  heard  to-fore.  And  therefore,  my  fellows,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  I  pray  you  all  that  ye  will  be  of  good  heart  in 
what  need  somever  I  stand,  for  now  is  war  come  to  us  all. 
Sir,  said  Bors,  all  is  welcome  that  God  sendeth  us,  and  we 
have  had  much  weal  with  you  and  much  worship,  and 
therefore  we  will  take  the  woe  with  you  as  we  have  taken 
the  weal.  And  therefore,  they  said  all  (there  were  many 
good  knights),  look  ye  take  no  discomfort,  for  there  nis 
no  bands  of  knights  under  heaven  but  we  shall  be  able  to 
grieve  them  as  much  as  they  may  us.  And  therefore  dis- 
comfort not  yourself  by  no  manner,  and  we  shall  gather 
together  that  we  love,  and  that  loveth  us,  and  what  that 
ye  will  have  done  shall  be  done.  And  therefore,  Sir 
Launcelot,  said  they,  we  will  take  the  woe  with  the  weal. 
Grant  mercy,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  of  your  good  comfort, 
for  in  my  great  distress,  my  fair  nephew,  ye  comfort  me 
greatly,  and  much  I  am  beholding  unto  you.  But  this, 
my  fair  nephew,  I  would  that  ye  did  in  all  haste  that  ye 
may,  or  it  be  forth  days,  that  ye  will  look  in  their  lodging 
that  be  lodged  here  nigh  about  the  king,  which  will  hold 
with  me,  and  which  will  not,  for  now  I  would  know  which 
were  my  friends  from  my  foes.  Sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  I  shall 
do  my  pain,  and  or  it  be  seven  of  the  clock  I  shall  wit  of 
such  as  ye  have  said  before,  who  will  hold  with  you. 

Then  Sir  Bors  called  unto  him  Sir  Lionel,  Sir  Ector  de 
Maris,  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis,  Sir  Bleoberis  de  Ganis,  Sir 


442  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

Gahalantine,  Sir  Galihodin,  Sir  Galihud,  Sir  Menadeuke, 
Sir  Villiers  the  Valiant,  Sir  Hebes  le  Renoumes,  Sir  Lavaine, 
Sir  Urre  of  Hungary,  Sir  Nerounes,  Sir  Plenorius.  These 
two  knights  Sir  Launcelot  made,  and  the  one  he  won  upon 
a  bridge,  and  therefore  they  would  never  be  against  him. 
And  Harry  le  Fise  du  Lake,  and  Sir  Selises  of  the  Dolor- 
ous Tower,  and  Sir  Melias  de  Lile,  and  Sir  Bellangere  le 
Beuse,  that  was  Sir  Alisander's  son  Le  Orphelin,  because 
his  mother  Alice  le  Beale  Pellerin  and  she  was  kin  unto 
Sir  Launcelot,  and  he  held  with  him.  So  there  came  Sir 
Palomides  and  Sir  Safere,  his  brother,  to  hold  with  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  Sir  Clegis  of  Sadok,  and  Sir  Dinas, 
Sir  Clarius  of  Cleremont.  So  these  two -and -twenty 
knights  drew  them  together,  and  by  then  they  were 
armed  on  horseback,  and  promised  Sir  Launcelot  to  do 
what  he  would.  Then  there  fell  to  them,  what  of  North 
Wales  and  of  Cornwall,  for  Sir  Lamorak's  sake  and 
for  Sir  Tristram's  sake,  to  the  number  of  a  fourscore 
knights. 

My  lords,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  wit  you  well,  I  have  been 
ever  since  I  came  into  this  country  well  willed  unto  my 
lord,  King  Arthur,  and  unto  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever, 
unto  my  power  ;  and  this  night  because  my  lady  the  queen 
sent  for  me  to  speak  with  her,  I  suppose  it  was  made  by 
treason,  howbeit  I  dare  largely  excuse  her  person,  notwith- 
standing I  was  there  by  a  forecast  near  slain,  but  as  Jesu 
provided  me  I  escaped  all  their  malice  and  treason.  And 
then  that  noble  knight  Sir  Launcelot  told  them  all  how  he 
was  hard  bestead  in  the  queen's  chamber,  and  how  and  in 
what  manner  he  escaped  from  them.  And  therefore,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  wit  you  well,  my  fair  lords,  I  am  sure  there 
nis  but  war  unto  me  and  mine.  And  for  because  I  have 
slain  this  night  these  knights,  I  wot  well,  as  is  Sir  Agravaine 
Sir  Gawaine's  brother,  and  at  the  least  twelve  of  his  fellows, 
for  this  cause  now  I  am  sure  of  mortal  war,  for  these 
knights  were  sent  and  ordained  by  King  Arthur  to  betray 
me.  And  therefore  the  king  will  in  his  heat  and  malice 
judge  the  queen  to  the  fire,  and  that  may  I  not  suffer,  that 
she  should  be  brent  for  my  sake  ;  for  an  I  may  be  heard 


CH.VI  OF  THE  ADVICE  TO  SAVE  THE  QUEEN  443 

and  suffered  and  so  taken,  I  will  fight  for  the  queen,  that 
she  is  a  true  lady  unto  her  lord  ;  but  the  king  in  his  heat 
I  dread  me  will  not  take  me  as  I  ought  to  be  taken. 


CHAPTER  VI 

Of  the  counsel  and  advice  that  was  taken  by  Sir  Launcelot 
and  his  friends  for  to  save  the  queen. 

MY  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  Sir  Bors,  by  mine  advice  ye 
shall  take  the  woe  with  the  weal,  and  take  it  in  patience, 
and  thank  God  of  it.  And  sithen  it  is  fallen  as  it  is,  I 
counsel  you  keep  yourself,  for  an  ye  will  yourself,  there 
is  no  fellowship  of  knights  christened  that  shall  do  you 
wrong.  Also  I  will  counsel  you  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot, 
than  an  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever,  be  in  distress,  inso- 
much as  she  is  in  pain  for  your  sake,  that  ye  knightly 
rescue  her  ;  an  ye  did  otherwise,  all  the  world  will  speak 
of  you  shame  to  the  world's  end.  Insomuch  as  ye  were 
taken  with  her,  whether  ye  did  right  or  wrong,  it  is  now 
your  part  to  hold  with  the  queen,  that  she  be  not  slain 
and  put  to  a  mischievous  death,  for  an  she  so  die  the 
shame  shall  be  yours.  Jesu  defend  me  from  shame,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  and  keep  and  save  my  lady  the  queen  from 
villainy  and  shameful  death,  and  that  she  never  be  de- 
stroyed in  my  default ;  wherefore  my  fair  lords,  my  kin, 
and  my  friends,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  what  will  ye  do  ? 
Then  they  said  all :  We  will  do  as  ye  will  do.  I  put 
this  to  you,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  if  my  lord  Arthur  by 
evil  counsel  will  to-morn  in  his  heat  put  my  lady  the 
queen  to  the  fire  there  to  be  brent,  now  I  pray  you  counsel 
me  what  is  best  to  do.  Then  they  said  all  at  once  with 
one  voice  :  Sir,  us  thinketh  best  that  ye  knightly  rescue 
the  queen,  insomuch  as  she  shall  be  brent  it  is  for  your 
sake  ;  and  it  is  to  suppose,  an  ye  might  be  handled,  ye 
should  have  the  same  death,  or  a  more  shamefuler  death. 


444  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

And  sir,  we  say  all,  that  ye  have  many  times  rescued  her 
from  death  for  other  men's  quarrels,  us  seemeth  it  is  more 
your  worship  that  ye  rescue  the  queen  from  this  peril, 
insomuch  she  hath  it  for  your  sake. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  stood  still,  and  said  :  My  fair 
lords,  wit  you  well  I  would  be  loath  to  do  that  thing  that 
should  dishonour  you  or  my  blood,  and  wit  you  well  I 
would  be  loath  that  my  lady,  the  queen,  should  die  a 
shameful  death  ;  but  an  it  be  so  that  ye  will  counsel  me 
to  rescue  her,  I  must  do  much  harm  or  I  rescue  her  ;  and 
peradventure  I  shall  there  destroy  some  of  my  best  friends, 
that  should  much  repent  me  ;  and  peradventure  there  be 
some,  an  they  could  well  bring  it  about,  or  disobey  my 
.lord  King  Arthur,  they  would  soon  come  to  me,  the 
which  1  were  loath  to  hurt.  And  if  so  be  that  I  rescue 
her,  where  shall  I  keep  her  ?  That  shall  be  the  least  care 
of  us  all,  said  Sir  Bors.  How  did  the  noble  knight  Sir 
Tristram,  by  your  good  will  ?  kept  not  he  with  him  La 
Beale  Isoud  near  three  year  in  Joyous  Gard  ?  the  which 
was  done  by  your  alther  device,  and  that  same  place  is 
your  own  ;  and  in  likewise  may  ye  do  an  ye  list,  and  take 
the  queen  lightly  away,  if  it  so  be  the  king  will  judge  her 
to  be  brent ;  and  in  Joyous  Gard  ye  may  keep  her  long 
enough  until  the  heat  of  the  king  be  past.  And  then 
shall  ye  bring  again  the  queen  to  the  king  with  great 
worship  ;  and  then  peradventure  ye  shall  have  thank  for 
her  bringing  home,  and  love  and  thank  where  other  shall 
have  maugre. 

That  is  hard  to  do,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  by  Sir 
Tristram  I  may  have  a  warning,  for  when  by  means  of 
treaties,  Sir  Tristram  brought  again  La  Beale  Isoud  unto 
King  Mark  from  Joyous  Gard,  look  what  befell  on  the 
end,  how  shamefully  that  false  traitor  King  Mark  slew 
him  as  he  sat  harping  afore  his  lady  La  Beale  Isoud,  with 
a  grounden  glaive  he  thrust  him  in  behind  to  the  heart. 
It  grieveth  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  to  speak  of  his  death, 
for  all  the  world  may  not  find  such  a  knight.  All  this  is 
truth,  said  Sir  Bors,  but  there  is  one  thing  shall  courage 
you  and  us  all,  ye  know  well  King  Arthur  and  King  Mark 


CHAP,  vii     HOW  MORDRED  TOLD  ARTHUR          445 

were  never  like  of  conditions,  for  there  was  never  yet  man 
could  prove  King  Arthur  untrue  of  his  promise. 

So  to  make  short  tale,  they  were  all  consented  that 
for  better  outher  for  worse,  if  so  were  that  the  queen  were 
on  that  morn  brought  to  the  fire,  shortly  they  all  would 
rescue  her.  And  so  by  the  advice  of  Sir  Launcelot,  they 
put  them  all  in  an  embushment  in  a  wood,  as  nigh  Carlisle 
as  they  might,  and  there  they  abode  still,  to  wit  what  the 
king  would  do. 


CHAPTER    VII 

How  Sir  Mordred  rode  hastily  to  the  king,  to  tell  him  of 
the  affray  and  death  of  Sir  Agravaine  and  the  other 
knights. 

Now  turn  we  again  unto  Sir  Mordred,  that  when  he  was 
escaped  from  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  he  anon  gat 
his  horse  and  mounted  upon  him,  and  rode  unto  King 
Arthur,  sore  wounded  and  smitten,  and  all  forbled  ;  and 
there  he  told  the  king  all  how  it  was,  and  how  they  were 
all  slain  save  himself  all  only.  Jesu  mercy,  how  may  this 
be  ?  said  the  king  ;  took  ye  him  in  the  queen's  chamber  ? 
Yea,  so  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Mordred,  there  we  found 
him  unarmed,  and  there  he  slew  Colgrevance,  and  armed 
him  in  his  armour;  and  all  this  he  told  the  king  from 
the  beginning  to  the  ending.  Jesu  mercy,  said  the  king, 
he  is  a  marvellous  knight  of  prowess.  Alas,  me  sore 
repenteth,  said  the  king,  that  ever  Sir  Launcelot  should 
be  against  me.  Now  I  am  sure  the  noble  fellowship  of 
the  Round  Table  is  broken  for  ever,  for  with  him  will 
many  a  noble  knight  hold  ;  and  now  it  is  fallen  so,  said 
the  king,  that  I  may  not  with  my  worship,  but  the  queen 
must  suffer  the  death.  So  then  there  was  made  great 
ordinance  in  this  heat,  that  the  queen  must  be  judged  to 
the  death.  And  the  law  was  such  in  those  days  that 
whatsomever  they  were,  of  what  estate  or  degree,  if  they 
were  found  guilty  of  treason,  there  should  be  none  other 


446  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

remedy  but  death  ;  and  outher  the  men  or  the  taking  with 
the  deed  should  be  causer  of  their  hasty  judgment.  And 
right  so  was  it  ordained  for  Queen  Guenever,  because 
Sir  Mordred  was  escaped  sore  wounded,  and  the  death  of 
thirteen  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  These  proofs  and 
experiences  caused  King  Arthur  to  command  the  queen  to 
the  fire  there  to  be  brent. 

Then  spake  Sir  Gawaine,  and  said  :  My  lord  Arthur, 
I  would  counsel  you  not  to  be  over-hasty,  but  that  ye 
would  put  it  in  respite,  this  judgment  of  my  lady  the 
queen,  for  many  causes.  One  it  is,  though  it  were  so 
that  Sir  Launcelot  were  found  in  the  queen's  chamber,  yet 
it  might  be  so  that  he  came  thither  for  none  evil ;  for  ye 
know  my  lord,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  the  queen  is  much 
beholden  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  more  than  unto  any  other 
knight,  for  ofttimes  he  hath  saved  her  life,  and  done  battle 
for  her  when  all  the  court  refused  the  queen  ;  and  per- 
adventure  she  sent  for  him  for  goodness  and  for  none 
evil,  to  reward  him  for  his  good  deeds  that  he  had  done 
to  her  in  times  past.  And  peradventure  my  lady,  the 
queen,  sent  for  him  to  that  intent  that  Sir  Launcelot 
should  come  to  her  good  grace  privily  and  secretly, 
weening  to  her  that  it  was  best  so  to  do,  in  eschewing 
and  dreading  of  slander  ;  for  ofttimes  we  do  many  things 
that  we  ween  it  be  for  the  best,  and  yet  peradventure  it 
turneth  to  the  worst.  For  I  dare  say,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
my  lady,  your  queen,  is  to  you  both  good  and  true  ;  and 
as  for  Sir  Launcelot,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  dare  say  he  will 
make  it  good  upon  any  knight  living  that  will  put  upon 
himself  villainy  or  shame,  and  in  like  wise  he  will  make 
good  for  my  lady,  Dame  Guenever. 

That  I  believe  well,  said  King  Arthur,  but  I  will  not 
that  way  with  Sir  Launcelot,  for  he  trusteth  so  much  upon 
his  hands  and  his  might  that  he  doubteth  no  man  ;  and 
therefore  for  my  queen  he  shall  never  fight  more,  for  she 
shall  have  the  law.  And  if  I  may  get  Sir  Launcelot,  wit 
you  well  he  shall  have  a  shameful  death.  Jesu  defend, 
said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  I  may  never  see  it.  Why  say  ye 
so  ?  said  King  Arthur  ;  forsooth  ye  have  no  cause  to  love 


CH.  viii     HOW  THE  QUEEN  WAS  RESCUED          447 

Sir  Launcelot,  for  this  night  last  past  he  slew  your  brother, 
Sir  Agravaine,  a  full  good  knight,  and  almost  he  had  slain 
your  other  brother,  Sir  Mordred,  and  also  there  he  slew 
thirteen  noble  knights  ;  and  also,  Sir  Gawaine,  remember 
ye  he  slew  two  sons  of  yours,  Sir  Florence  and  Sir  Lovel. 
My  lord,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  of  all  this  I  have  knowledge, 
of  whose  deaths  I  repent  me  sore  ;  but  insomuch  I  gave 
them  warning,  and  told  my  brethren  and  my  sons  afore- 
hand  what  would  fall  in  the  end,  insomuch  they  would 
not  do  by  my  counsel,  I  will  not  meddle  me  thereof,  nor 
revenge  me  nothing  of  their  deaths  ;  for  I  told  them  it 
was  no  boot  to  strive  with  Sir  Launcelot.  Howbeit  I  am 
sorry  of  the  death  of  my  brethren  and  of  my  sons,  for 
they  are  the  causers  of  their  own  death  ;  for  ofttimes  I 
warned  my  brother  Sir  Agravaine,  and  I  told  him  the 
perils  the  which  be  now  fallen. 


CHAPTER    VIII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  kinsmen  rescued  the  queen  from 
the  fir •<?,  and  how  he  slew  many  knights. 

THEN  said  the  noble  King  Arthur  to  Sir  Gawaine  :  Dear 
nephew,  I  pray  you  make  you  ready  in  your  best  armour, 
with  your  brethren,  Sir  Gaheris  and  Sir  Gareth,  to  bring 
my  queen  to  the  fire,  there  to  have  her  judgment  and 
receive  the  death.  Nay,  my  most  noble  lord,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  that  will  I  never  do  ;  for  wit  you  well  I  will 
never  be  in  that  place  where  so  noble  a  queen  as  is  my 
lady,  Dame  Guenever,  shall  take  a  shameful  end.  For 
wit  you  well,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  my  heart  will  never  serve 
me  to  see  her  die;  and  it  shall  never  be  said  that  ever 
I  was  of  your  counsel  of  her  death. 

Then  said  the  king  to  Sir  Gawaine  :  Suffer  your 
brothers  Sir  Gaheris  and  Sir  Gareth  to  be  there.  My 
lord,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  wit  you  well  they  will  be  loath 
to  be  there  present,  because  of  many  adventures  the  which 


448  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

be  like  there  to  fall,  but  they  are  young  and  full  unable 
to  say  you  nay.  Then  spake  Sir  Gaheris,  and  the  good 
knight  Sir  Gareth,  unto  Sir  Arthur  :  Sir,  ye  may  well 
command  us  to  be  there,  but  wit  you  well  it  shall  be  sore 
against  our  will ;  but  an  we  be  there  by  your  strait 
commandment  ye  shall  plainly  hold  us  there  excused :  we 
will  be  there  in  peaceable  wise,  and  bear  none  harness  of 
war  upon  us.  In  the  name  of  God,  said  the  king,  then 
make  you  ready,  for  she  shall  soon  have  her  judgment 
anon.  Alas,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  ever  I  should  endure 
to  see  this  woful  day.  So  Sir  Gawaine  turned  him  and 
wept  heartily,  and  so  he  went  into  his  chamber  ;  and  then 
the  queen  was  led  forth  without  Carlisle,  and  there  she 
was  despoiled  into  her  smock.  And  so  then  her  ghostly 
father  was  brought  to  her,  to  be  shriven  of  her  misdeeds. 
Then  was  there  weeping,  and  wailing,  and  wringing  of 
hands,  of  many  lords  and  ladies,  but  there  were  but  few 
in  comparison  that  would  bear  any  armour  for  to  strength 
the  death  of  the  queen. 

Then  was  there  one  that  Sir  Launcelot  had  sent  unto 
that  place  for  to  espy  what  time  the  queen  should  go  unto 
her  death  ;  and  anon  as  he  saw  the  queen  despoiled  into 
her  smock,  and  so  shriven,  then  he  gave  Sir  Launcelot 
warning.  Then  was  there  but  spurring  and  plucking  up 
of  horses,  and  right  so  they  came  to  the  fire.  And  who 
that  stood  against  them,  there  were  they  slain  ;  there  might 
none  withstand  Sir  Launcelot,  so  all  that  bare  arms  and 
withstood  them,  there  were  they  slain,  full  many  a  noble 
knight.  For  there  was  slain  Sir  Belliance  le  Orgulous, 
Sir  Segwarides,  Sir  Griflet,  Sir  Brandiles,  Sir  Aglovale, 
Sir  Tor ;  Sir  Gauter,  Sir  Gillimer,  Sir  Reynolds'  three 
brethren  ;  Sir  Damas,  Sir  Priamus,  Sir  Kay  the  Stranger, 
Sir  Driant,  Sir  Lambegus,  Sir  Herminde  ;  Sir  Pertilope, 
Sir  Perimones,  two  brethren  that  were  called  the  Green 
Knight  and  the  Red  Knight.  And  so  in  this  rushing  and 
hurling,  as  Sir  Launcelot  thrang  here  and  there,  it  mis- 
happed  him  to  slay  Gaheris  and  Sir  Gareth,  the  noble 
knight,  for  they  were  unarmed  and  unware.  For  as  the 
French  book  saith,  Sir  Launcelot  smote  Sir  Gareth  and 


"How  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  kinsmen  rescued  the  queen  from  the  fire  "- 
Book  XX.,  Chapter  VIII. 


CH.  ix    OF  THE  SORROW  OF  KING  ARTHUR       449 

Sir  Gaheris  upon  the  brain-pans,  wherethrough  they  were 
slain  in  the  field ;  howbeit  in  very  truth  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  them  not,  and  so  were  they  found  dead  among  the 
thickest  of  the  press. 

Then  when  Sir  Launcelot  had  thus  done,  and  slain  and 
put  to  flight  all  that  would  withstand  him,  then  he  rode 
straight  unto  Dame  Guenever,  and  made  a  kirtle  and  a 
gown  to  be  cast  upon  her  ;  and  then  he  made  her  to  be 
set  behind  him,  and  prayed  her  to  be  of  good  cheer.  Wit 
you  well  the  queen  was  glad  that  she  was  escaped  from 
the  death.  And  then  she  thanked  God  and  Sir  Launcelot ; 
and  so  he  rode  his  way  with  the  queen,  as  the  French  book 
saith,  unto  Joyous  Gard,  and  there  he  kept  her  as  a  noble 
knight  should  do  ;  and  many  great  lords  and  some  kings 
sent  Sir  Launcelot  many  good  knights,  and  many  noble 
knights  drew  unto  Sir  Launcelot.  When  this  was  known 
openly,  that  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot  were  at 
debate,  many  knights  were  glad  of  their  debate,  and  many 
were  full  heavy  of  their  debate. 


CHAPTER    IX 

Of  the  sorrow  and  lamentation  of  King  Arthur  for  the 
death  of  his  nephews  and  other  good  knights  ^  and  also 
for  the  queen,  his  wife. 

So  turn  we  again  unto  King  Arthur,  that  when  it  was  told 
him  how  and  in  what  manner  of  wise  the  queen  was  taken 
away  from  the  fire,  and  when  he  heard  of  the  death  of 
his  noble  knights,  and  in  especial  of  Sir  Gaheris  and  Sir 
Gareth's  death,  then  the  king  swooned  for  pure  sorrow. 
And  when  he  awoke  of  his  swoon,  then  he  said  :  Alas, 
that  ever  I  bare  crown  upon  my  head  !  for  now  have 
I  lost  the  fairest  fellowship  of  noble  knights  that  ever 
held  Christian  king  together.  Alas,  my  good  knights  be 
slain  away  from  me  :  now  within  these  two  days  I  have 
lost  forty  knights,  and  also  the  noble  fellowship  of  Sir 
VOL.  n  2  c 


4-50  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

Launcelot  and  his  blood,  for  now  I  may  never  hold 
them  together  no  more  with  my  worship.  Alas  that 
ever  this  war  began.  Now  fair  fellows,  said  the  king, 
I  charge  you  that  no  man  tell  Sir  Gawaine  of  the  death 
of  his  two  brethren  ;  for  I  am  sure,  said  the  king,  when 
Sir  Gawaine  heareth  tell  that  Sir  Gareth  is  dead  he  will  go 
nigh  out  of  his  mind.  Mercy  Jesu,  said  the  king,  why 
slew  he  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Gaheris,  for  I  dare  say  as  for 
Sir  Gareth  he  loved  Sir  Launcelot  above  all  men  earthly. 
That  is  truth,  said  some  knights,  but  they  were  slain  in 
the  hurtling  as  Sir  Launcelot  thrang  in  the  thick  of  the 
press  ;  and  as  they  were  unarmed  he  smote  them  and  wist 
vvhot  whom  that  he  smote,  and  so  unhappily  they  were 
slain.  The  death  of  them,  said  Arthur,  will  cause  the 
greatest  mortal  war  that  ever  was  ;  I  am  sure,  wist  Sir 
Gawaine  that  Sir  Gareth  were  slain,  I  should  never  have 
rest  of  him  till  I  had  destroyed  Sir  Launcelot's  kin  and 
himself  both,  outher  else  he  to  destroy  me.  And  there- 
fore, said  the  king,  wit  you  well  my  heart  was  never  so 
heavy  as  it  is  now,  and  much  more  I  am  sorrier  for  my 
'good  knights'  loss  than  for  the  loss  of  my  fair  queen  ; 
for  queens  I  might  have  enow,  but  such  a  fellowship  of 
;  good  knights  shall  never  be  together  in  no  company. 
And  now  I  dare  say,  said  King  Arthur,  there  was  never 
Christian  king  held  such  a  fellowship  together;  and  alas 
that  ever  Sir  Launcelot  and  I  should  be  at  debate.  Ah 
Agravaine,  Agravaine,  said  the  king,  Jesu  forgive  it  thy  soul, 
for  thine  evil  will,  that  thou  and  thy  brother  Sir  Mordred 
hadst  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  hath  caused  all  this  sorrow  :  and 
ever  among  these  complaints  the  king  wept  and  swooned. 
Then  there  came  one  unto  Sir  Gawaine,  and  told  him 
how  the  queen  was  led  away  with  Sir  Launcelot,  and  nigh 
a  twenty-four  knights  slain.  O  Jesu  defend  my  brethren, 
said  Sir  Gawaine,  for  full  well  wist  I  that  Sir  Launcelot 
would  rescue  her,  outher  else  he  would  die  in  that  field  ; 
and  to  say  the  truth  he  had  not  been  a  man  of  worship  had 
he  not  rescued  the  queen  that  day,  insomuch  she  should 
have  been  brent  for  his  sake.  And  as  in  that,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  he  hath  done  but  knightly,  and  as  I  would  have 


CH.X       OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND  GAWAINE         451 

done  myself  an  I  had  stood  in  like  case.  But  where  are 
my  brethren?  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  marvel  I  hear  not  of 
them.  Truly,  said  that  man,  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Gaheris 
be  slain.  Jesu  defend,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  for  all  the  world 
I  would  not  that  they  were  slain,  and  in  especial  my  good 
brother,  Sir  Gareth.  Sir,  said  the  man,  he  is  slain,  and 
that  is  great  pity.  Who  slew  him  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine. 
Sir,  said  the  man,  Launcelot  slew  them  both.  That  may  1 
not  believe,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  ever  he  slew  my  brother, 
Sir  Gareth  ;  for  I  dare  say  my  brother  Gareth  loved  him 
better  than  me,  and  all  his  brethren,  and  the  king  both. 
Also  I  dare  say,  an  Sir  Launcelot  had  desired  my  brother, 
Sir  Gareth,  with  him  he  would  have  been  with  him  against 
the  king  and  us  all,  and  therefore  I  may  never  believe  that 
Sir  Launcelot  slew  my  brother.  Sir,  said  this  man,  it  is 
noised  that  he  slew  him. 


CHAPTER   X 

How  King  Arthur  at  the  request  of  Sir  Gawaine  concluded 
to  make  war  against  Sir  Launcelot,  and  laid  siege  to 
his  castle  called  Joyous  Gard. 

ALAS,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  now  is  my  joy  gone.  And  then 
he  fell  down  and  swooned,  and  long  he  lay  there  as  he  had 
been  dead.  And  then,  when  he  arose  of  his  swoon,  he 
cried  out  sorrowfully,  and  said  :  Alas  !  And  right  so  Sir 
Gawaine  ran  to  the  king,  crying  and  weeping  :  O  King 
Arthur,  mine  uncle,  my  good  brother  Sir  Gareth  is  slain, 
and  so  is  my  brother  Sir  Gaheris,  the  which  were  two 
noble  knights.  Then  the  king  wept,  and  he  both  ;  and  so 
they  fell  a-swooning.  And  when  they  were  revived  then 
spake  Sir  Gawaine  :  Sir,  I  will  go  see  my  brother,  Sir 
Gareth.  Ye  may  not  see  him,  said  the  king,  for  I  caused 
him  to  be  interred,  and  Sir  Gaheris  both  ;  for  I  well  under- 
stood that  ye  would  make  over-much  sorrow,  and  the  sight 
of  Sir  Gareth  should  have  caused  your  double  sorrow. 


452  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

Alas,  my  lord,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  how  slew  he  my  brother, 
Sir  Gareth  ?  Mine  own  good  lord  I  pray  you  tell  me. 
Truly,  said  the  king,  I  shall  tell  you  how  it  is  told  me,  Sir 
Launcelot  slew  him  and  Sir  Gaheris  both.  Alas,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  they  bare  none  arms  against  him,  neither  of  them 
both.  I  wot  not  how  it  was,  said  the  king,  but  as  it  is 
said,  Sir  Launcelot  slew  them  both  in  the  thickest  of  the 
press  and  knew  them  not ;  and  therefore  let  us  shape  a 
remedy  for  to  revenge  their  deaths. 

My  king,  my  lord,  and  mine  uncle,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
wit  you  well  now  I  shall  make  you  a  promise  that  I  shall 
hold  by  my  knighthood,  that  from  this  day  I  shall  never 
fail  Sir  Launcelot  until  the  one  of  us  have  slain  the  other. 
And  therefore  I  require  you,  my  lord  and  king,  dress  you 
to  the  war,  for  wit  you  well  I  will  be  revenged  upon  Sir 
Launcelot ;  and  therefore,  as  ye  will  have  my  service  and 
my  love,  now  haste  you  thereto,  and  assay  your  friends. 
For  I  promise  unto  God,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  for  the  death 
of  my  brother,  Sir  Gareth,  I  shall  seek  Sir  Launcelot 
throughout  seven  kings'  realms,  but  I  shall  slay  him  or  else 
he  shall  slay  me.  Ye  shall  not  need  to  seek  him  so  far, 
said  the  king,  for  as  I  hear  say,  Sir  Launcelot  will  abide 
me  and  you  in  the  Joyous  Gard  ;  and  much  people  draweth 
unto  him,  as  I  hear  say.  That  may  I  believe,  said  Sir 
Gawaine  ;  but  my  lord,  he  said,  assay  your  friends,  and  I 
will  assay  mine.  It  shall  be  done,  said  the  king,  and  as  I 
suppose  I  shall  be  big  enough  to  draw  him  out  of  the 
biggest  tower  of  his  castle. 

So  then  the  king  sent  letters  and  writs  throughout  all 
England,  both  in  the  length  and  the  breadth,  for  to  assummon 
all  his  knights.  And  so  unto  Arthur  drew  many  knights, 
dukes,  and  earls,  so  that  he  had  a  great  host.  And  when 
they  were  assembled,  the  king  informed  them  how  Sir 
Launcelot  had  bereft  him  his  queen.  Then  the  king  and  all 
his  host  made  them  ready  to  lay  siege  about  Sir  Launcelot, 
where  he  Jay  within  Joyous  Gard.  Thereof  heard  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  purveyed  him  of  many  good  knights,  for 
with  him  held  many  knights  ;  and  some  for  his  own  sake, 
and  some  for  the  queen's  sake.  Thus  they  were  on  both 


CH.  xi  HOW  ARTHUR  REPROVED  LAUNCELOT  453 

parties  well  furnished  and  garnished  of  all  manner  of  thing 
that  longed  to  the  war.  But  King  Arthur's  host  was  so 
big  that  Sir  Launcelot  would  not  abide  him  in  the  field, 
for  he  was  full  loath  to  do  battle  against  the  king  ;  but  Sir 
Launcelot  drew  him  to  his  strong  castle  with  all  manner  of 
victual,  and  as  many  noble  men  as  he  might  suffice  within 
the  town  and  the  castle.  Then  came  King  Arthur  with 
Sir  Gawaine  with  an  huge  host,  and  laid  a  siege  all  about 
Joyous  Gard,  both  at  the  town  and  at  the  castle,  and  there 
they  made  strong  war  on  both  parties.  But  in  no  wise  Sir 
Launcelot  would  ride  out,  nor  go  out  of  his  castle,  of  long 
time ;  neither  he  would  none  of  his  good  knights  to  issue 
out,  neither  none  of  the  town  nor  of  the  castle,  until  fifteen 
weeks  were  past. 


CHAPTER  XI 

Of  the  communication  between  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot^ 
and  how  King  Arthur  reproved  him. 

THEN  it  befell  upon  a  day  in  harvest  time,  Sir  Launcelot 
looked  over  the  walls,  and  spake  on  high  unto  King  Arthur 
and  Sir  Gawaine  :  My  lords  both,  wit  ye  well  all  is  in  vain 
that  ye  make  at  this  siege,  for  here  win  ye  no  worship  but 
maugre  and  dishonour  ;  for  an  it  list  me  to  come  myself 
out  and  my  good  knights,  I  should  full  soon  make  an  end 
of  this  war.  Come  forth,  said  Arthur  unto  Launcelot,  an 
thou  durst,  and  I  promise  thee  I  shall  meet  thee  in  midst 
of  the  field.  God  defend  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  ever 
I  should  encounter  with  the  most  noble  king  that  made  me 
knight.  Fie  upon  thy  fair  language,  said  the  king,  for  wit 
you  well  and  trust  it,  I  am  thy  mortal  foe,  and  ever  will 
to  my  death  day  ;  for  thou  hast  slain  my  good  knights, 
and  full  noble  men  of  my  blood,  that  I  shall  never  recover 
again.  Also  thou  hast  lain  by  my  queen,  and  holden  her 
many  winters,  and  sithen  like  a  traitor  taken  her  from  me 
by  force. 

My  most  noble  lord  and  king,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye 


454  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

may  say  what  ye  will,  for  ye  wot  well  with  yourself  will  I 
not  strive  ;  but  thereas  ye  say  I  have  slain  your  good 
knights,  I  wot  well  that  I  have  done  so,  and  that  me  sore 
repenteth  ;  but  I  was  enforced  to  do  battle  with  them  in 
saving  of  my  life,  or  else  I  must  have  suffered  them  to 
have  slain  me.  And  as  for  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever, 
except  your  person  of  your  highness,  and  my  lord  Sir 
Gawaine,  there  is  no  knight  under  heaven  that  dare  make 
it  good  upon  me,  that  ever  I  was  a  traitor  unto  your  person. 
And  where  it  please  you  to  say  that  I  have  holden  my  lady 
your  queen  years  and  winters,  unto  that  I  shall  ever  make 
a  large  answer,  and  prove  it  upon  any  knight  that  beareth 
the  life,  except  your  person  and  Sir  Gawaine,  that  my  lady, 
Queen  Guenever,  is  a  true  lady  unto  your  person  as  any  is 
living  unto  her  lord,  and  that  will  I  make  good  with  my 
hands.  Howbeit  it  hath  liked  her  good  grace  to  have  me 
in'chierte,  and  to  cherish  me  more  than  any  other  knight ; 
and  unto  my  power  I  again  have  deserved  her  love,  for 
ofttimes,  my  lord,  ye  have  consented  that  she  should  be 
brent  and  destroyed,  in  your  heat,  and  then  it  fortuned  me 
to  do  battle  for  her,  and  or  I  departed  from  her  adversary 
they  confessed  their  untruth,  and  she  full  worshipfully  ex- 
cused. And  at  such  times,  my  lord  Arthur,  said  Sir  Launce- 
lot,  ye  loved  me,  and  thanked  me  when  I  saved  your  queen 
from  the  fire  ;  and  then  ye  promised  me  for  ever  to  be  my 
good  lord ;  and  now  methinketh  ye  reward  me  full  ill  for 
my  good  service.  And  my  good  lord,  meseemeth  I  had 
lost  a  great  part  of  my  worship  in  my  knighthood  an  I  had 
suffered  my  lady,  your  queen,  to  have  been  brent,  and  in- 
somuch she  should  have  been  brent  for  my  sake.  For 
sithen  I  have  done  battles  for  your  queen  in  other  quarrels 
than  in  mine  own,  meseemeth  now  I  had  more  right  to  do 
battle  for  her  in  right  quarrel.  And  therefore  my  good 
and  gracious  lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  take  your  queen  unto 
your  good  grace,  for  she  is  both  fair,  true,  and  good. 

Fie  on  thee,  false  recreant  knight,  said  Sir  Gawaine  ; 
I  let  thee  wit  my  lord,  mine  uncle,  King  Arthur,  shall 
have  his  queen  and  thee,  maugre  thy  visage,  and  slay  you 
both  whether  it  please  him.  It  may  well  be,  said  Sir 


CH.  xi  HOW  ARTHUR  REPROVED  LAUNCELOT  455 

Launcelot,  but  wit  you  well,  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine,  an  me 
list  to  come  out  of  this  castle  ye  should  win  me  and  the 
queen  more  harder  than  ever  ye  won  a  strong  battle.  Fie 
on  thy  proud  words,  said  Sir  Gawaine  ;  as  for  my  lady,  the 
queen,  I  will  never  say  of  her  shame.  But  thou,  false  and 
recreant  knight,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  what  cause  hadst  thou 
to  slay  my  good  brother  Sir  Gareth,  that  loved  thee  more 
than  all  my  kin?  Alas  thou  madest  him  knight  thine 
own  hands  ;  why  slew  thou  him  that  loved  thee  so  well  ? 
For  to  excuse  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  it  helpeth  me  not, 
but  by  Jesu,  and  by  the  faith  that  I  owe  to  the  high  order 
of  knighthood,  I  should  with  as  good  will  have  slain  my 
nephew,  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  at  that  time.  But  alas  that 
ever  I  was  so  unhappy,  said  Launcelot,  that  I  had  not  seen 
Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Gaheris. 

Thou  Rest,  recreant  knight,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  thou 
slewest  him  in  despite  of  me  ;  and  therefore,  wit  thou  well 
I  shall  make  war  to  thee,  and  all  the  while  that  I  may  live. 
That  me  repenteth,  said  Sir  Launcelot ;  for  well  I  under- 
stand it  helpeth  not  to  seek  none  accordment  while  ye,  Sir 
Gawaine,  are  so  mischievously  set.  And  if  ye  were  not, 
I  would  not  doubt  to  have  the  good  grace  of  my  lord 
Arthur.  I  believe  it  well,  false  recreant  knight,  said  Sir 
Gawaine  ;  for  thou  hast  many  long  days  overled  me  and 
us  all,  and  destroyed  many  of  our  good  knights.  Ye  say 
as  it  pleaseth  you,  said  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  yet  may  it  never 
be  said  on  me,  and  openly  proved,  that  ever  I  by  forecast 
of  treason  slew  no  good  knight,  as  my  lord,  Sir  Gawaine, 
ye  have  done  ;  and  so  did  I  never,  but  in  my  defence  that 
I  was  driven  thereto,  in  saving  of  my  life.  Ah,  false  knight, 
said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  thou  meanest  by  Sir  Lamorak  :  wit 
thou  well  I  slew  him.  Ye  slew  him  not  yourself,  said  Sir 
Launcelot  ;  it  had  been  overmuch  on  hand  for  you  to  have 
slain  him,  for  he  was  one  of  the  best  knights  christened  of 
his  age,  and  it  was  great  pity  of  his  death. 


456  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 


CHAPTER   XII 

How  the  cousins  and  kinsmen  of  Sir  Launcelot  excited  him 
to  go  out  to  battle,  and  how  they  made  them  ready. 

WELL,  well,  said  Sir  Gawaine  to  Launcelot,  sithen  thou 
enbraidest  me  of  Sir  Lamorak,  wit  thou  well  I  shall  never 
leave  thee  till  I  have  thee  at  such  avail  that  thou  shalt  not 
escape  my  hands.  I  trust  you  well  enough,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  an  ye  may  get  me  I  get  but  little  mercy.  But 
as  the  French  book  saith,  the  noble  King  Arthur  would 
have  taken  his  queen  again,  and  have  been  accorded  with 
Sir  Launcelot,  but  Sir  Gawaine  would  not  suffer  him  by  no 
manner  of  mean.  And  then  Sir  Gawaine  made  many  men 
to  blow  upon  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  all  at  once  they  called 
him  false  recreant  knight. 

Then  when  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  and 
Sir  Lionel,  heard  this  outcry,  they  called  to  them  Sir 
Palomides,  Sir  Safere's  brother,  and  Sir  Lavaine,  with  many 
more  of  their  blood,  and  all  they  went  unto  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  said  thus  :  My  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  wit  ye  well  we  have 
great  scorn  of  the  great  rebukes  that  we  heard  Gawaine 
say  to  you  ;  wherefore  we  pray  you,  and  charge  you  as  ye 
will  have  our  service,  keep  us  no  longer  within  these  walls  ; 
for  wit  you  well  plainly,  we  will  ride  into  the  field  and  do 
battle  with  them  ;  for  ye  fare  as  a  man  that  were  afeard, 
and  for  all  your  fair  speech  it  will  not  avail  you.  For  wit 
you  well  Sir  Gawaine  will  not  suffer  you  to  be  accorded 
with  King  Arthur,  and  therefore  fight  for  your  life  and 
your  right,  an  ye  dare.  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  to 
ride  out  of  this  castle,  and  to  do  battle,  I  am  full  loath. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  spake  on  high  unto  Sir  Arthur  and 
Sir  Gawaine  :  My  lords,  I  require  you  and  beseech  you, 
sithen  that  I  am  thus  required  and  conjured  to  ride  into 
the  field,  that  neither  you,  my  lord  King  Arthur,  nor  you 
Sir  Gawaine,  come  not  into  the  field.  What  shall  we  do 
then  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine,  [Njis  this  the  king's  quarrel  with 


CH.XJII      HOW  GAWAINE  SMOTE  LIONEL  457 

thee  to  fight  ?  and  it  is  my  quarrel  to  fight  with  thee,  Sir 
Launcelot,  because  of  the  death  of  my  brother  Sir  Gareth. 
Then  must  I  needs  unto  battle,  said  Sir  Launcelot.  Now 
wit  you  well,  my  lord  Arthur  and  Sir  Gawaine,  ye  will 
repent  it  whensomever  I  do  battle  with  you. 

And  so  then  they  departed  either  from  other  ;  and  then 
either  party  made  them  ready  on  the  morn  for  to  do  battle, 
and  great  purveyance  was  made  on  both  sides  ;  and  Sir 
Gawaine  let  purvey  many  knights  for  to  wait  upon  Sir 
Launcelot,  for  to  overset  him  and  to  slay  him.  And  on 
the  morn  at  underne  Sir  Arthur  was  ready  in  the  field  with 
three  great  hosts.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot's  fellowship 
came  out  at  three  gates,  in  a  full  good  array  ;  and  Sir  Lionel 
came  in  the  foremost  battle,  and  Sir  Launcelot  came  in  the 
middle,  and  Sir  Bors  came  out  at  the  third  gate.  Thus 
they  came  in  order  and  rule,  as  full  noble  knights  ;  and 
always  Sir  Launcelot  charged  all  his  knights  in  any  wise  to 
save  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Gawaine. 


CHAPTER   XIII 

How  Sir  Gawaine  jousted  and  smote  down  Sir  Lionel^  and 
how  Sir  Launcelot  horsed  King  Arthur. 

THEN  came  forth  Sir  Gawaine  from  the  king's  host,  and 
he  came  before  and  proffered  to  joust.  And  Sir  Lionel 
was  a  fierce  knight,  and  lightly  he  encountered  with  Sir 
Gawaine  ;  and  there  Sir  Gawaine  smote  Sir  Lionel  through- 
out the  body,  that  he  dashed  to  the  earth  like  as  he  had 
been  dead  ;  and  then  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  and  other  more 
bare  him  into  the  castle.  Then  there  began  a  great  stour, 
and  much  people  was  slain  ;  and  ever  Sir  Launcelot  did 
what  he  might  to  save  the  people  on  King  Arthur's  party, 
for  Sir  Palomides,  and  Sir  Bors,  and  Sir  Safere,  overthrew 
many  knights,  for  they  were  deadly  knights.  And  Sir 
Blamore  de  Ganis,  and  Sir  Bleoberis  de  Ganis,  with  Sir 
Bellangere  le  Beuse,  these  six  knights  did  much  harm  ;  and 


458  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

ever  King  Arthur  was  nigh  about  Sir  Launcelot  to  have 
slain  him,  and  Sir  Launcelot  suffered  him,  and  would  not 
strike  again.  So  Sir  Bors  encountered  with  King  Arthur, 
and  there  with  a  spear  Sir  Bors  smote  him  down  ;  and  so 
he  alighted  and  drew  his  sword,  and  said  to  Sir  Launcelot : 
Shall  I  make  an  end  of  this  war  ?  and  that  he  meant  to  have 
slain  King  Arthur.  Not  so  hardy,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
upon  pain  of  thy  head,  that  thou  touch  him  no  more,  for 
I  will  never  see  that  most  noble  king  that  made  me  knight 
neither  slain  ne  shamed.  And  therewithal  Sir  Launcelot 
alighted  off  his  horse  and  took  up  the  king  and  horsed  him 
again,  and  said  thus  :  My  lord  Arthur,  for  God's  love  stint 
this  strife,  for  ye  get  here  no  worship,  and  I  would  do  mine 
utterance,  but  always  I  forbear  you,  and  ye  nor  none  of 
yours  forbeareth  me  ;  my  lord,  remember  what  I  have  done 
in  many  places,  and  now  I  am  evil  rewarded. 

Then  when  King  Arthur  was  on  horseback,  he  looked 
upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and  then  the  tears  brast  out  of  his 
eyen,  thinking  on  the  great  courtesy  that  was  in  Sir 
Launcelot  more  than  in  any  other  man  ;  and  therewith  the 
king  rode  his  way,  and  might  no  longer  behold  him,  and 
said  :  Alas,  that  ever  this  war  began.  And  then  either 
parties  of  the  battles  withdrew  them  to  repose  them,  and 
buried  the  dead,  and  to  the  wounded  men  they  laid  soft 
salves  ;  and  thus  they  endured  that  night  till  on  the  morn. 
And  on  the  morn  by  underne  they  made  them  ready  to  do 
battle.  And  then  Sir  Bors  led  the  forward. 

So  upon  the  morn  there  came  Sir  Gawaine  as  brim  as 
any  boar,  with  a  great  spear  in  his  hand.  And  when  Sir 
Bors  saw  him  he  thought  to  revenge  his  brother  Sir  Lionel 
of  the  despite  that  Sir  Gawaine  did  him  the  other  day. 
And  so  they  that  knew  either  other  feutred  their  spears, 
and  with  all  their  mights  of  their  horses  and  themselves, 
they  met  together  so  felonously  that  either  bare  other 
through,  and  so  they  fell  both  to  the  earth  ;  and  then  the 
battles  joined,  and  there  was  much  slaughter  on  both  parties. 
Then  Sir  Launcelot  rescued  Sir  Bors,  and  sent  him  into 
the  castle  ;  but  neither  Sir  Gawaine  nor  Sir  Bors  died  not 
of  their  wounds,  for  they  were  all  holpen.  Then  Sir 


CM.  xm  MOW  LAUNCELOT  HORSED  ARTHUR 

Lavaine  and  Sir  Urre  prayed  Sir  Launcelot  to  do  his  pain, 
and  fight  as  they  had  done  ;  For  we  see  ye  forbear  and 
spare,  and  that  doth  much  harm  ;  therefore  we  pray  you 
spare  not  your  enemies  no  more  than  they  do  you.  Alas, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  have  no  heart  to  fight  against  my  lord 
Arthur,  for  ever  meseemeth  I  do  not  as  I  ought  to  do. 
My  lord,  said  Sir  Palomides,  though  ye  spare  them  all  this 
day  they  will  never  con  you  thank  ;  and  if  they  may  get 
you  at  avail  ye  are  but  dead.  So  then  Sir  Launcelot 
understood  that  they  said  him  truth  ;  and  then  he  strained 
himself  more  than  he  did  aforehand,  and  because  his  nephew 
Sir  Bors  was  sore  wounded.  And  then  within  a  little  while, 
by  evensong  time,  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  party  better  stood, 
for  their  horses  went  in  blood  past  the  fetlocks,  there  was 
so  much  people  slain.  And  then  for  pity  Sir  Launcelot 
withheld  his  knights,  and  suffered  King  Arthur's  party  for 
to  withdraw  them  aside.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot's  party 
withdrew  them  into  his  castle,  and  either  parties  buried  the 
dead,  and  put  salve  unto  the  wounded  men. 

So  when  Sir  Gawaine  was  hurt,  they  on  King  Arthur's 
party  were  not  so  orgulous  as  they  were  toforehand  to  do 
battle.  Of  this  war  was  noised  through  all  Christendom, 
and  at  the  last  it  was  noised  afore  the  Pope  ;  and  he  con- 
sidering the  great  goodness  of  King  Arthur,  and  of  Sir 
Launcelot,  that  was  called  the  most  noblest  knights  of  the 
world,  wherefore  the  Pope  called  unto  him  a  noble  clerk 
that  at  that  time  was  there  present ;  the  French  book  saith, 
it  was  the  Bishop  of  Rochester  ;  and  the  Pope  gave  him 
bulls  under  lead  unto  King  Arthur  of  England,  charging 
him  upon  pain  of  interdicting  of  all  England,  that  he  take 
his  queen  Dame  Guenever  unto  him  again,  and  accord  with 
Sir  Launcelot. 


460  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  xx 


CHAPTER   XIV 

How  the  Pope  sent  down  his  bulls  to  make  peace,  and  how 
Sir  Launcelot  brought  the  queen  to  King  Arthur. 

So  when  this  Bishop  was  come  to  Carlisle  he  shewed  the 
king  these  bulls.  And  when  the  king  understood  these 
bulls  he  nist  what  to  do  :  full  fain  he  would  have  been 
accorded  with  Sir  Launcelot,  but  Sir  Gawaine  would  not 
suffer  him  ;  but  as  for  to  have  the  queen,  thereto  he  agreed. 
But  in  nowise  Sir  Gawaine  would  not  suffer  the  king  to 
accord  with  Sir  Launcelot ;  but  as  for  the  queen  he  con- 
sented. And  then  the  Bishop  had  of  the  king  his  great 
seal,  and  his  assurance  as  he  was  a  true  anointed  king  that 
Sir  Launcelot  should  come  safe,  and  go  safe,  and  that  the 
queen  should  not  be  spoken  unto  of  the  king,  nor  of  none 
other,  for  no  thing  done  afore  time  past ;  and  of  all  these 
appointments  the  Bishop  brought  with  him  sure  assurance 
and  writing,  to  shew  Sir  Launcelot. 

So  when  the  Bishop  was  come  to  Joyous  Gard,  there 
he  shewed  Sir  Launcelot  how  the  Pope  had  written  to 
Arthur  and  unto  him,  and  there  he  told  him  the  perils 
if  he  withheld  the  queen  from  the  king.  It  was  never  in 
my  thought,  said  Launcelot,  to  withhold  the  queen  from 
my  lord  Arthur  ;  but,  insomuch  she  should  have  been 
dead  for  my  sake,  meseemeth  it  was  my  part  to  save  her 
life,  and  put  her  from  that  danger,  till  better  recover 
might  come.  And  now  I  thank  God,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
that  the  Pope  hath  made  her  peace;  for  God  knoweth, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  will  be  a  thousandfold  more  gladder 
to  bring  her  again,  than  ever  I  was  of  her  taking  away ; 
with  this,  I  may  be  sure  to  come  safe  and  go  safe,  and 
that  the  queen  shall  have  her  liberty  as  she  had  before ; 
and  never  for  no  thing  that  hath  been  surmised  afore  this 
time,  she  never  from  this  day  stand  in  no  peril.  For 
else,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  dare  adventure  me  to  keep  her 
from  an  harder  shour  than  ever  I  kept  her.  It  shall  not 


CHAP,  xiv      HOW  THE  POPE  MADE  PEACE  461 

need  you,  said  the  Bishop,  to  dread  so  much  ;  for  wit  you 
well,  the  Pope  must  be  obeyed,  and  it  were  not  the  Pope's 
worship  nor  my  poor  honesty  to  wit  you  distressed, 
neither  the  queen,  neither  in  peril,  nor  shamed.  And 
then  he  shewed  Sir  Launcelot  all  his  writing,  both  from 
the  Pope  and  from  King  Arthur.  This  is  sure  enough, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  full  well  I  dare  trust  my  lord's 
own  writing  and  his  seal,  for  he  was  never  shamed  of  his 
promise.  Therefore,  said  Sir  Launcelot  unto  the  Bishop, 
ye  shall  ride  unto  the  king  afore,  and  recommend  me 
unto  his  good  grace,  and  let  him  have  knowledging  that 
this  same  day  eight  days,  by  the  grace  of  God,  I  myself 
shall  bring  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever,  unto  him.  And 
then  say  ye  unto  my  most  redoubted  king,  that  I  will  say 
largely  for  the  queen,  that  I  shall  none  except  for  dread 
nor  fear,  but  the  king  himself,  and  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine  ; 
and  that  is  more  for  the  king's  love  than  for  himself. 

So  the  Bishop  departed  and  came  to  the  king  at 
Carlisle,  and  told  him  all  how  Sir  Launcelot  answered 
him  ;  and  then  the  tears  brast  out  of  the  king's  eyen. 
Then  Sir  Launcelot  purveyed  him  an  hundred  knights, 
and  all  were  clothed  in  green  velvet,  and  their  horses 
trapped  to  their  heels ;  and  every  knight  held  a  branch  of 
olive  in  his  hand,  in  tokening  of  peace.  And  the  queen 
had  four-and-twenty  gentlewomen  following  her  in  the 
same  wise  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot  had  twelve  coursers 
following  him,  and  on  every  courser  sat  a  young  gentle- 
man, and  all  they  were  arrayed  in  green  velvet,  with  sarps 
of  gold  about  their  quarters,  and  the  horse  trapped  in  the 
same  wise  down  to  the  heels,  with  many  ouches,  y-set  with 
stones  and  pearls  in  gold,  to  the  number  of  a  thousand. 
And  she  and  Sir  Launcelot  were  clothed  in  white  cloth  of 
gold  tissue  ;  and  right  so  as  ye  have  heard,  as  the  French 
book  maketh  mention,  he  rode  with  the  queen  from 
Joyous  Gard  to  Carlisle.  And  so  Sir  Launcelot  rode 
throughout  Carlisle,  and  so  in  the  castle,  that  all  men 
might  behold  ;  and  wit  you  well  there  was  many  a 
weeping  eye.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  himself  alighted 
and  avoided  his  horse,  and  took  the  queen,  and  so  led  her 


462  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

where  King  Arthur  was  in  his  seat  :  and  Sir  Gawaine  sat 
afore  him,  and  many  other  great  lords.  So  when  Sir 
Launcelot  saw  the  king  and  Sir  Gawaine,  then  he  led  the 
queen  by  the  arm,  and  then  he  kneeled  down,  and  the 
queen  both.  Wit  you  well  then  was  there  many  bold 
knight  there  with  King  Arthur  that  wept  as  tenderly  as 
though  they  had  seen  all  their  kin  afore  them.  So  the 
king  sat  still,  and  said  no  word.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  his  countenance,  he  arose  and  pulled  up  the  queen 
with  him,  and  thus  he  spake  full  knightly. 


CHAPTER  XV 

Of  the  deliverance  of  the  queen  to  the  king  by  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  what  language  Sir  Gawaine  had  to  Sir  Launcelot. 

MY  most  redoubted  king,  ye  shall  understand,  by  the 
Pope's  commandment  and  yours,  I  have  brought  to  you 
my  lady  the  queen,  as  right  requireth  ;  and  if  there  be 
any  knight,  of  whatsomever  degree  that  he  be,  except 
your  person,  that  will  say  or  dare  say  but  that  she  is  true 
and  clean  to  you,  I  here  myself,  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake, 
will  make  it  good  upon  his  body,  that  she  is  a  true  lady 
unto  you  ;  but  liars  ye  have  listened,  and  that  hath 
caused  debate  betwixt  you  and  me.  For  time  hath  been, 
my  lord  Arthur,  that  ye  have  been  greatly  pleased  with 
me  when  I  did  battle  for  my  lady,  your  queen  ;  and  full 
well  ye  know,  my  most  noble  king,  that  she  hath  been 
put  to  great  wrong  or  this  time  ;  and  sithen  it  pleased  you 
at  many  times  that  I  should  fight  for  her,  meseemeth,  my 
good  lord,  I  had  more  cause  to  rescue  her  from  the  fire, 
insomuch  she  should  have  been  brent  for  my  sake.  For 
they  that  told  you  those  tales  were  liars,  and  so  it  fell 
upon  them  ;  for  by  likelihood  had  not  the  might  of  God 
been  with  me,  I  might  never  have  endured  fourteen 
knights,  and  they  armed  and  afore  purposed,  and  I 
unarmed  and  not  purposed.  For  I  was  sent  for  unto  my 


CHAP,  xv  OF  THE  QUEEN'S  DELIVERANCE  463 

lady  your  queen,  I  wot  not  for  what  cause  ;  but  I  was  not 
so  soon  within  the  chamber  door,  but  anon  Sir  Agravaine 
and  Sir  Mordred  called  me  traitor  and  recreant  knight. 
They  called  thee  right,  said  Sir  Gawaine.  My  lord  Sir 
Gawaine,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  in  their  quarrel  they  proved 
themselves  not  in  the  right.  Well  well,  Sir  Launcelot, 
said  the  king,  I  have  given  thee  no  cause  to  do  to  me  as 
thou  hast  done,  for  I  have  worshipped  thee  and  thine  more 
than  any  of  all  my  knights. 

My  good  lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  so  ye  be  not 
displeased,  ye  shall  understand  I  and  mine  have  done  you 
oft  better  service  than  any  other  knights  have  done,  in 
many  divers  places  ;  and  where  ye  have  been  full  hard 
bestead  divers  times,  I  have  myself  rescued  you  from 
many  dangers  ;  and  ever  unto  my  power  I  was  glad  to 
please  you,  and  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine  ;  both  in  jousts,  and 
tournaments,  and  in  battles  set,  both  on  horseback  and  on 
foot,  I  have  often  rescued  you,  and  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine, 
and  many  mo  of  your  knights  in  many  divers  places. 
For  now  I  will  make  avaunt,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  will 
that  ye  all  wit  that  yet  I  found  never  no  manner  of 
knight  but  that  I  was  overhard  for  him,  an  I  had  done 
my  utterance,  thanked  be  God ;  howbeit  I  have  been 
matched  with  good  knights,  as  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir 
Lamorak,  but  ever  I  had  a  favour  unto  them  and  a 
deeming  what  they  were.  And  I  take  God  to  record, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  never  was  wroth  nor  greatly  heavy 
with  no  good  knight  an  I  saw  him  busy  about  to  win 
worship  ;  and  glad  I  was  ever  when  I  found  any  knight 
that  might  endure  me  on  horseback  and  on  foot :  howbeit 
Sir  Carados  of  the  Dolorous  Tower  was  a  full  noble 
knight  and  a  passing  strong  man,  and  that  wot  ye,  my 
lord  Sir  Gawaine  ;  for  he  might  well  be  called  a  noble 
knight  when  he  by  fine  force  pulled  you  out  of  your 
saddle,  and  bound  you  overthwart  afore  him  to  his  saddle 
bow  ;  and  there,  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine,  I  rescued  you,  and 
slew  him  afore  your  sight.  Also  I  found  his  brother, 
Sir  Turquin,  in  likewise  leading  Sir  Gaheris,  your  brother, 
bounden  afore  him  ;  and  there  I  rescued  your  brother 


464  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

and  slew  that  Turquin,  and  delivered  three-score-and-four 
of  my  lord  Arthur's  knights  out  of  his  prison.  And  now 
I  dare  say,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  met  never  with  so  strong 
knights,  nor  so  well  fighting,  as  was  Sir  Carados  and  Sir 
Turquin,  for  I  fought  with  them  to  the  uttermost.  And 
therefore,  said  Sir  Launcelot  unto  Sir  Gawaine,  meseemeth 
ye  ought  of  right  to  remember  this  ;  for,  an  I  might 
have  your  good  will,  I  would  trust  to  God  to  have  my 
lord  Arthur's  good  grace. 


CHAPTER   XVI 

Of  the  communication  between  Sir  Gawaine  and  Sir  Launcelot ', 
with  much  other  language. 

THE  king  may  do  as  he  will,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  but  wit 
thou  well,  Sir  Launcelot,  thou  and  I  shall  never  be 
accorded  while  we  live,  for  thou  hast  slain  three  of  my 
brethren  ;  and  two  of  them  ye  slew  traitorly  and  piteously, 
for  they  bare  none  harness  against  thee,  nor  none  would 
bear.  God  would  they  had  been  armed,  said  Sir  Launce- 
lot, for  then  had  they  been  alive.  And  wit  ye  well  Sir 
Gawaine,  as  for  Sir  Gareth,  I  love  none  of  my  kinsmen  so 
much  as  I  did  him ;  and  ever  while  I  live,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  I  will  bewail  Sir  Gareth's  death,  not  all  only 
for  the  great  fear  I  have  of  you,  but  many  causes  cause 
me  to  be  sorrowful.  One  is,  for  I  made  him  knight ; 
another  is,  I  wot  well  he  loved  me  above  all  other  knights  ; 
and  the  third  is,  he  was  passing  noble,  true,  courteous, 
and  gentle,  and  well  conditioned  ;  the  fourth  is,  I  wist 
well,  anon  as  I  heard  that  Sir  Gareth  was  dead,  I  should 
never  after  have  your  love,  but  everlasting  war  betwixt 
us ;  and  also  I  wist  well  that  ye  would  cause  my  noble 
lord  Arthur  for  ever  to  be  my  mortal  foe.  And  as  Jesu 
be  my  help,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  slew  never  Sir  Gareth 
nor  Sir  Gaheris  by  my  will ;  but  alas  that  ever  they  were 
unarmed  that  unhappy  day.  But  thus  much  I  shall  offei 


CHAP,  xvi    OF  GAWAINE  AND  LAUNCELOT          465 

me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  if  it  may  please  the  king's  good 
grace,  and  you,  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine,  I  shall  first  begin  at 
Sandwich,  and  there  I  shall  go  in  my  shirt,  barefoot ;  and 
at  every  ten  miles'  end  I  will  found  and  gar  make  an 
house  of  religion,  of  what  order  that  ye  will  assign  me, 
with  an  whole  convent,  to  sing  and  read,  day  and  night, 
in  especial  for  Sir  Gareth's  sake  and  Sir  Gaheris.  And 
this  shall  I  perform  from  Sandwich  unto  Carlisle  ;  and 
every  house  shall  have  sufficient  livelihood.  And  this 
shall  I  perform  while  I  have  any  livelihood  in  Christen- 
dom ;  and  there  nis  none  of  all  these  religious  places,  but 
they  shall  be  performed,  furnished  and  garnished  in  all 
things  as  an  holy  place  ought  to  be,  I  promise  you  faith- 
fully. And  this,  Sir  Gawaine,  methinketh  were  more 
fairer,  holier,  and  more  better  to  their  souls,  than  ye,  my 
most  noble  king,  and  you,  Sir  Gawaine,  to  war  upon  me, 
for  thereby  shall  ye  get  none  avail. 

Then  all  knights  and  ladies  that  were  there  wept  as 
they  were  mad,  and  the  tears  fell  on  King  Arthur's  cheeks. 
Sir  Launcelot,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  have  right  well  heard 
thy  speech,  and  thy  great  proffers,  but  wit  thou  well,  let 
the  king  do  as  it  pleased  him,  I  will  never  forgive  my 
brothers'  death,  and  in  especial  the  death  of  my  brother, 
Sir  Gareth.  And  if  mine  uncle,  King  Arthur,  will  accord 
with  thee,  he  shall  lose  my  service,  for  wit  thou  well  thou 
art  both  false  to  the  king  and  to  me.  Sir,  said  Launcelot, 
he  beareth  not  the  life  that  may  make  that  good  ;  and  if 
ye,  Sir  Gawaine,  will  charge  me  with  so  high  a  thing,  ye 
must  pardon  me,  for  then  needs  must  I  answer  you. 
Nay,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  we  are  past  that  at  this  time,  and 
that  caused  the  Pope,  for  he  hath  charged  mine  uncle,  the 
king,  that  he  shall  take  his  queen  again,  and  to  accord 
with  thee,  Sir  Launcelot,  as  for  this  season,  and  therefore 
thou  shalt  go  safe  as  thou  earnest.  But  in  this  land  thou 
shalt  not  abide  past  fifteen  days,  such  summons  I  give 
thee  :  so  the  king  and  we  were  consented  and  accorded  or 
thou  earnest.  And  else,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  wit  thou  well 
thou  shouldst  not  have  come  here,  but  if  it  were  maugre 
thy  head.  And  if  it  were  not  for  the  Pope's  command- 

VOL.  II  2   H 


466  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

ment,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  should  do  battle  with  mine  own 
body  against  thy  body,  and  prove  it  upon  thee,  that  thou 
hast  been  both  false  unto  mine  uncle  King  Arthur,  and  to 
me  both  ;  and  that  shall  I  prove  upon  thy  body,  when 
thou  art  departed  from  hence,  wheresomever  I  find  thee 


CHAPTER   XVII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  departed  from  the  king  and  from  Joyous 
Card  over  seaward,  and  what  knights  went  with  him. 

THEN  Sir  Launcelot  sighed,  and  therewith  the  tears  fell 
on  his  cheeks,  and  then  he  said  thus  :  Alas,  most  noble 
Christian  realm,  whom  I  have  loved  above  all  other  realms, 
and  in  thee  I  have  gotten  a  great  part  of  my  worship,  and 
now  I  shall  depart  in  this  wise.  Truly  me  repenteth  that 
ever  I  came  in  this  realm,  that  should  be  thus  shamefully 
banished,  undeserved  and  causeless^;  but  fortune  is  so 
variant,  and  the  wheel  so  moveable,  there  nis  none  con- 
stant abiding,  and  that  may  be  proved  by  many  old 
chronicles,  of  noble  Ector,  and  Troilus,  and  Alisander, 
the  mighty  conqueror,  and  many  mo  other  ;  when 
they  were  most  in  their  royalty,  they  alighted  lowest. 
And  so  fareth  it  by  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  in  this 
realm  I  had  worship,  and  by  me  and  mine  all  the  whole 
Round  Table  hath  been  increased  more  in  worship,  by  me 
and  mine  blood,  than  by  any  other.  And  therefore  wit 
thou  well,  Sir  Gawaine,  I  may  live  upon  my  lands  as  well 
as  any  knight  that  here  is.  And  if  ye,  most  redoubted 
king,  will  come  upon  my  lands  with  Sir  Gawaine  to  war 
upon  me,  I  must  endure  you  as  well  as  I  may.  But  as 
to  you,  Sir  Gawaine,  if  that  ye  come  there,  I  pray  you 
charge  me  not  with  treason  nor  felony,  for  an  ye  do,  I 
must  answer  you.  Do  thou  thy  best,  said  Sir  Gawaine ; 
therefore  hie  thee  fast  that  thou  were  gone,  and  wit  thou 
well  we  shall  soon  come  after,  and  break  the  strongest 
castle  that  thou  hast,  upon  thy  head.  That  shall  not 


CHAP,  xvii     HOW  LAUNCELOT  DEPARTED  467 

need,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  an  I  were  as  orgulous  set  as 
ye  are,  wit  you  well  I  should  meet  you  in  midst  of  the 
field.  Make  thou  no  more  language,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
but  deliver  the  queen  from  thee,  and  pike  thee  lightly  out 
of  this  court.  Well,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  an  I  had  wist  of 
this  short  coming,  I  would  have  advised  me  twice  or  that 
I  had  come  hither ;  for  an  the  queen  had  been  so  dear  to 
me  as  ye  noise  her,  I  durst  have  kept  her  from  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  best  knights  under  heaven. 

And  then  Sir  Launcelot  said  unto  Guenever,  in  hear- 
ing of  the  king  and  them  all  :  Madam,  now  I  must 
depart  from  you  and  this  noble  fellowship  for  ever  ;  and 
sithen  it  is  so,  I  beseech  you  to  pray  for  me,  and  say  me 
well ;  and  if  ye  be  hard  bestead  by  any  false  tongues, 
lightly  my  lady  send  me  word,  and  if  any  knight's  hands 
may  deliver  you  by  battle,  I  shall  deliver  you.  And 
therewithal  Sir  Launcelot  kissed  the  queen  ;  and  then  he 
said  all  openly  :  Now  let  see  what  he  be  in  this  place  that 
dare  say  the  queen  is  not  true  unto  my  lord  Arthur,  let 
see  who  will  speak  an  he  dare  speak.  And  therewith  he 
brought  the  queen  to  the  king,  and  then  Sir  Launcelot 
took  his  leave  and  departed  ;  and  there  was  neither  king, 
duke,  nor  earl,  baron  nor  knight,  lady  nor  gentlewoman, 
but  all  they  wept  as  people  out  of  their  mind,  except  Sir 
Gawaine.  And  when  the  noble  Sir  Launcelot  took  his 
horse  to  ride  out  of  Carlisle,  there  was  sobbing  and  weep- 
ing for  pure  dole  of  his  departing  ;  and  so  he  took  his 
way  unto  Joyous  Gard.  And  then  ever  after  he  called  it 
the  Dolorous  Gard.  And  thus  departed  Sir  Launcelot 
from  the  court  for  ever. 

And  so  when  he  came  to  Joyous  Gard  he  called  his 
fellowship  unto  him,  and  asked  them  what  they  would  do. 
Then  they  answered  all  wholly  together  with  one  voice, 
they  would  as  he  would  do.  My  fair  fellows,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  I  must  depart  out  of  this  most  noble  realm, 
and  now  I  shall  depart  it  grieveth  me  sore,  for  I  shall 
depart  with  no  worship,  for  a  flemed  man  departed  never 
out  of  a  realm  with  no  worship  ;  and  that  is  my  heaviness, 
for  ever  I  fear  after  my  days  that  men  shall  chronicle  upon 


468  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

me  that  I  was  flemed  out_pf  this  land  ;  and  else,  my  fair 
lords,  be  ye  sure,  an  Thad  not  dread  shame,  my  lady, 
Queen  Guenever,  and  I  should  never  have  departed. 

Then  spake  many  noble  knights,  as  Sir  Palomides,  Sir 
Safere  his  brother,  and  Sir  Bellangere  le  Beuse,  and  Sir 
Urre,  with  Sir  Lavaine,  with  many  others  :  Sir,  an  ye  be 
so  disposed  to  abide  in  this  land  we  will  never  fail  you  ; 
and  if  ye  list  not  to  abide  in  this  land  there  nis  none  of 
the  good  knights  that  here  be  will  fail  you,  for  many 
causes.  One  is,  all  we  that  be  not  of  your  blood  shall 
never  be  welcome  to  the  court.  And  sithen  it  liked  us  to 
take  a  part  with  you  in  your  distress  and  heaviness  in  this 
realm,  wit  you  well  it  shall  like  us  as  well  to  go  in  other 
countries  with  you,  and  there  to  take  such  part  as  ye  do. 
My  fair  lords,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  well  understand  you, 
and  as  I  can,  thank  you  :  and  ye  shall  understand,  such 
livelihood  as  I  am  born  unto  I  shall  depart  with  you  in 
this  manner  of  wise  ;  that  is  for  to  say,  I  shall  depart  all 
my  livelihood  and  all  my  lands  freely  among  you,  and  I 
myself  will  have  as  little  as  any  of  you,  for  have  I  suffi- 
cient that  may  long  to  my  person,  I  will  ask  none  other 
rich  array  ;  and  I  trust  to  God  to  maintain  you  on  my 
lands  as  well  as  ever  were  maintained  any  knights.  Then 
spake  all  the  knights  at  once  :  He  have  shame  that  will 
leave  you  ;  for  we  all  understand  in  this  realm  will  be  now 
no  quiet,  but  ever  strife  and  debate,  now  the  fellowship  of 
the  Round  Table  is  broken ;  for  by  the  noble  fellowship 
of  the  Round  Table  was  King  Arthur  upborne,  and  by 
their  noblesse  the  king  and  all  his  realm  was  in  quiet  and 
rest,  and  a  great  part  they  said  all  was  because  of  your 
noblesse. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  passed  over  the  sea,  and  how  he  made 
great  lords  of  the  knights  that  went  with  him. 

TRULY,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  thank  you  all  of  your  good 
saying  ;  howbeit,  I  wot  well,  in  me  was  not  all  the  stability 


CH.  xvm  HOW  HE  MADE  HIS  KNIGHTS  LORDS  469 

of  this  realm,  but  in  that  I  might  I  did  my  devoir  ;  and 
well  I  am  sure  I  knew  many  rebellions  in  my  days  that  by 
me  were  peaced,  and  I  trow  we  all  shall  hear  of  them  in 
short  space,  and  that  me  sore  repenteth.  For  ever  I  dread 
me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  Sir  Mordred  will  make  trouble, 
for  he  is  passing  envious  and  applieth  him  to  trouble.  So 
they  were  accorded  to  go  with  Sir  .Launcelot  to  his  lands  ; 
and  to  make  short  tale,  they  trussed,  and  paid  all  that 
would  ask  them  ;  and  wholly  an  hundred  knights  departed 
with  Sir  Launcelot  at  once,  and  made  their  avows  they 
would  never  leave  him  for  weal  nor  for  woe. 

And  so  they  shipped  at  Cardiff,  and  sailed  unto  Ben- 
wick  :  some  men  call  it  Bayonne,  and  some  men  call  it 
Beaune,  where  the  wine  of  Beaune  is.  But  to  say  the 
sooth,  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  nephews  were  lords  of  all 
France,  and  of  all  the  lands  that  longed  unto  France  ;  he 
and  his  kindred  rejoiced  it  all  through  Sir  Launcelot's 
noble  prowess.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  stuffed  and 
furnished  and  garnished  all  his  noble  towns  and  castles. 
Then  all  the  people  of  those  lands  came  to  Sir  Launcelot 
on  foot  and  hands.  And  so  when  he  had  stablished  all 
these  countries,  he  shortly  called  a  parliament ;  and  there 
he  crowned  Sir  Lionel,  King  of  France  ;  and  Sir  Bors  [he] 
crowned  him  king  of  all  King  Claudas'  lands  ;  and  Sir 
Ector  de  Maris,  that  was  Sir  Launcelot's  youngest  brother, 
he  crowned  him  King  of  Benwick,  and  king  of  all  Guienne, 
that  was  Sir  Launcelot's  own  land.  And  he  made  Sir  Ector 
prince  of  them  all,  and  thus  he  departed. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  advanced  all  his  noble  knights, 
and  first  he  advanced  them  of  his  blood  ;  that  was  Sir 
Blamore,  he  made  him  Duke  of  Limosin  in  Guienne, 
and  Sir  Bleoberis  he  made  him  Duke  of  Poictiers,  and 
Sir  Gahalantine  he  made  him  Duke  of  Querne,  and 
Sir  Galihodin  he  made  him  Duke  of  Sentonge,  and  Sir 
Galihud  he  made  him  Earl  of  Perigot,  and  Sir  Mena- 
deuke  he  made  him  Earl  of  Roerge,  and  Sir  Villiars  the 
Valiant  he  made  him  Earl  of  Beam,  and  Sir  Hebes  le 
Renoumes  he  made  him  Earl  of  Comange,  and  Sir 
Lavaine  he  made  him  Earl  of  Arminak,  and  Sir  Urre 


470  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

he  made  him  Earl  of  Estrake,  and  Sir  Neroneus  he  made  him 
Earl  of  Pardiak,  and  Sir  Plenorius  he  made  Earl  of  Foise, 
and  Sir  Selises  of  the  Dolorous  Tower  he  made  him  Earl 
of  Masauke,  and  Sir  Melias  de  Lile  he  made  him  Earl  of 
Tursauk,  and  Sir  Bellangere  le  Beuse  he  made  Earl  of  the 
Launds,  and  Sir  Palomides  he  made  him  Duke  of  the 
Provence,  and  Sir  Safere  he  made  him  Duke  of  Landok,  and 
Sir  Clegis  he  gave  him  the  Earldom  of  Agente,  and  Sir 
Sadok  he  gave  the  Earldom  of  Surlat,  and  Sir  Dinas  le 
Seneschal  he  made  him  Duke  of  Anjou,  and  Sir  Clarrus 
he  made  him  Duke  of  Normandy.  Thus  Sir  Launcelot 
rewarded  his  noble  knights  and  many  more,  that  me- 
seemeth  it  were  too  long  to  rehearse 


CHAPTER  XIX 

How  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Gawaine  made  a  great  host  ready 
to  go  over  sea  to  make  war  on  Sir  Launcelot. 

So  leave  we  Sir  Launcelot  in  his  lands,  and  his  noble 
knights  with  him,  and  return  we  again  unto  King  Arthur 
and  to  Sir  Gawaine,  that  made  a  great  host  ready,  to  the 
number  of  threescore  thousand  ;  and  all  thing  was  made 
ready  for  their  shipping  to  pass  over  the  sea,  and  so  they 
shipped  at  Cardiff.  And  there  King  Arthur  made  Sir 
Mordred  chief  ruler  of  all  England,  and  also  he  put 
Queen  Guenever  under  his  governance ;  because  Sir 
Mordred  was  King  Arthur's  son,  he  gave  him  the  rule 
of  his  land  and  of  his  wife  ;  and  so  the  king  passed  the 
sea  and  landed  upon  Sir  Launcelot's  lands,  and  there  he 
brent  and  wasted,  through  the  vengeance  of  Sir  Gawaine, 
all  that  they  might  overrun. 

When  this  word  came  to  Sir  Launcelot,  that  King 
Arthur  and  Sir  Gawaine  were  landed  upon  his  lands,  and 
made  a  full  great  destruction  and  waste,  then  spake  Sir 
Bors,  and  said  :  My  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  it  is  shame  that 
we  suffer  them  thus  to  ride  over  our  lands,  for  wit  you 


CH.XIX      OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND  GAWAINE       471 

well,  suffer  ye  them  as  long  as  ye  will,  they  will  do  you 
no  favour  an  they  may  handle  you.  Then  said  Sir  Lionel 
that  was  wary  and  wise  :  My  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  I  will 
give  this  counsel,  let  us  keep  our  strong  walled  towns 
until  they  have  hunger  and  cold,  and  blow  on  their  nails  ; 
and  then  let  us  freshly  set  upon  them,  and  shred  them 
down  as  sheep  in  a  field,  that  aliens  may  take  example  for 
ever  how  they  land  upon  our  lands. 

Then  spake  King  Bagdemagus  to  Sir  Launcelot :  Sir, 
your  courtesy  will  shende  us  all,  and  thy  courtesy  hath 
waked  all  this  sorrow ;  for  an  they  thus  over  our  lands 
ride,  they  shall  by  process  bring  us  all  to  nought  whilst 
we  thus  in  holes  us  hide.  Then  said  Sir  Galihud  unto  Sir 
Launcelot :  Sir,  here  be  knights  come  of  kings'  blood, 
that  will  not  long  droop,  and  they  are  within  these  walls  ; 
therefore  give  us  leave,  like  as  we  be  knights,  to  meet 
them  in  the  field,  and  we  shall  slay  them,  that  they  shall 
curse  the  time  that  ever  they  came  into  this  country. 
Then  spake  seven  brethren  of  North  Wales,  and  they 
were  seven  noble  knights  ;  a  man  might  seek  in  seven 
kings'  lands  or  he  might  find  such  seven  knights.  Then 
they  all  said  at  once  :  Sir  Launcelot,  for  Christ's  sake  let 
us  out  ride  with  Sir  Galihud,  for  we  be  never  wont  to 
cower  in  castles  nor  in  noble  towns. 

Then  spake  Sir  Launcelot,  that  was  master  and 
governor  of  them  all :  My  fair  lords,  wit  you  well  I 
am  full  loath  to  ride  out  with  my  knights  for  shedding 
of  Christian  blood  ;  and  yet  my  lands  I  understand  be  full 
bare  for  to  sustain  any  host  awhile,  for  the  mighty  wars 
that  whilom  made  King  Claudas  upon  this  country,  upon 
my  father  King  Ban,  and  on  mine  uncle  King  Bors  ;  how- 
beit  we  will  as  at  this  time  keep  our  strong  walls,  and 
I  shall  send  a  messenger  unto  my  lord  Arthur,  a  treaty 
for  to  take  ;  for  better  is  peace  than  always  war. 

So  Sir  Launcelot  Iseht  Torth  a  damosel  and  a  dwarf 
with  her,  requiring  King  Arthur  to  leave  his  warring 
upon  his  lands  ;  and  so  she  start  upon  a  palfrey,  and  the 
dwarf  ran  by  her  side.  And  when  she  came  to  the 
pavilion  of  King  Arthur,  there  she  alighted  ;  and  there 


472  MOR T£  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

met  her  a  gentle  knight,  Sir  Lucan  the  Butler,  and  said  : 
Fair  damosel,  come  ye  from  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  ? 
Yea  sir,  she  said,  therefore  I  come  hither  to  speak  with 
my  lord  the  king.  Alas,  said  Sir  Lucan,  my  lord  Arthur 
would  love  Launcelot,  but  Sir  Gawaine  will  not  suffer 
him.  And  then  he  said  :  I  pray  to  God,  damosel,  ye  may 
speed  well,  for  all  we  that  be  about  the  king  would  Sir 
Launcelot  did  best  of  any  knight  living.  And  so  with 
this  Lucan  led  the  damosel  unto  the  king  where  he  sat 
with  Sir  Gawaine,  for  to  hear  what  she  would  say.  So 
when  she  had  told  her  tale,  the  water  ran  out  of  the  king's 
eyen,  and  all  the  lords  were  full  glad  for  to  advise  the 
king  as  to  be  accorded  with  Sir  Launcelot,  save  all  only 
Sir  Gawaine,  and  he  said  :  My  lord  mine  uncle,  what  will 
ye  do  ?  Will  ye  now  turn  again,  now  ye  are  passed  thus 
far  upon  this  journey  ?  all  the  world  will  speak  of  your 
villainy.  Nay,  said  Arthur,  wit  thou  well,  Sir  Gawaine, 
I  will  do  as  ye  will  advise  me  ;  and  yet  meseemeth,  said 
Arthur,  his  fair  proffers  were  not  good  to  be  refused  ;  but 
si  then  I  am  come  so  far  upon  this  journey,  I  will  that  ye 
give  the  damosel  her  answer,  for  I  may  not  speak  to  her 
for  pity,  for  her  proffers  be  so  large. 


CHAPTER   XX 

What  message  Sir  Gawaine  sent  to  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  how 
King  Arthur  laid  siege  to  Benwick,  and  other  matters. 

THEN  Sir  Gawaine  said  to  the  damosel  thus  :  Damosel, 
say  ye  to  Sir  Launcelot  that  it  is  waste  labour  now  to  sue 
to  mine  uncle  ;  for  tell  him,  an  he  would  have  made  any 
labour  for  peace,  he  should  have  made  it  or  this  time,  for 
tell  him  now  it  is  too  late  ;  and  say  that  I,  Sir  Gawaine, 
so  send  him  word,  that  I  promise  him  by  the  faith  I  owe 
unto  God  and  to  knighthood,  I  shall  never  leave  him  till 
he  have  slain  me  or  I  him.  So  the  damosel  wept  and 
departed,  and  there  were  many  weeping  eyen  ;  and  so  Sir 


CH.  xx    ARTHUR  LAYS  SIEGE  TO  BENWICK        473 

Lucan  brought  the  damosel  to  her  palfrey,  and  so  she 
came  to  Sir  Launcelot  where  he  was  among  all  his  knights. 
And  when  Sir  Launcelot  had  heard  this  answer,  then 
the  tears  ran  down  by  his  cheeks.  And  then  his  noble 
knights  strode  about  him,  and  said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  where- 
fore make  ye  such  cheer,  think  what  ye  are,  and  what 
men  we  are,  and  let  us  noble  knights  match  them  in 
midst  of  the  field.  That  may  be  lightly  done,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  but  I  was  never  so  loath  to  do  battle,  and 
therefore  I  pray  you,  fair  sirs,  as  ye  love  me,  be  ruled  as 
I  will  have  you,  for  I  will  always  flee  that  noble  king  that 
made  me  knight.  And  when  I  may  no  further,  I  must 
needs  defend  me,  and  that  will  be  more  worship  for  me 
and  us  all  than  to  compare  with  that  noble  king  whom  we 
have  all  served.  Then  they  held  their  language,  and  as 
that  night  they  took  their  rest. 

And  upon  the  morn  early,  in  the  dawning  of  the  day, 
as  knights  looked  out,  they  saw  the  city  of  Benwick 
besieged  round  about ;  and  fast  they  began  to  set  up 
ladders,  and  then  they  defied  them  out  of  the  town,  and 
beat  them  from  the  walls  wightly.  Then  came  forth  Sir 
Gawaine  well  armed  upon  a  stiff  steed,  and  he  came  before 
the  chief  gate,  with  his  spear  in  his  hand,  crying  :  Sir 
Launcelot,  where  art  thou  ?  is  there  none  of  you  proud 
knights  dare  break  a  spear  with  me  ?  Then  Sir  Bors 
made  him  ready,  and  came  forth  out  of  the  town,  and 
there  Sir  Gawaine  encountered  with  Sir  Bors.  And  at 
that  time  he  smote  Sir  Bors  down  from  his  horse,  and 
almost  he  had  slain  him  ;  and  so  Sir  Bors  was  rescued  and 
borne  into  the  town.  Then  came  forth  Sir  Lionel,  brother 
to  Sir  Bors,  and  thought  to  revenge  him  ;  and  either 
feutred  their  spears,  and  ran  together  ;  and  there  they 
met  spitefully,  but  Sir  Gawaine  had  such  grace  that  he 
smote  Sir  Lionel  down,  and  wounded  him  there  passing 
sore  ;  and  then  Sir  Lionel  was  rescued  and  borne  into  the 
town.  And  this  Sir  Gawaine  came  every  day,  and  he 
failed  not  but  that  he  smote  down  one  knight  or  other. 

So  thus  they  endured  half  a  year,  and  much  slaughter 
was  of  people  on  both  parties.  Then  it  befell  upon  a  day, 


474  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

Sir  Gawaine  came  afore  the  gates  armed  at  all  pieces  on  a 
noble  horse,  with  a  great  spear  in  his  hand  ;  and  then  he 
cried  with  a  loud  voice  :  Where  art  thou  now,  thou  false 
traitor,  Sir  Launcelot?  Why  hidest  thou  thyself  within 
holes  and  walls  like  a  coward  ?  Look  out  now,  thou 
false  traitor  knight,  and  here  I  shall  revenge  upon  thy 
body  the  death  of  my  three  brethren.  All  this  language 
heard  Sir  Launcelot  every  deal ;  and  his  kin  and  his 
knights  drew  about  him,  and  all  they  said  at  once  to  Sir 
Launcelot :  Sir  Launcelot,  now  must  ye  defend  you  like  a 
knight,  or  else  ye  be  shamed  for  ever  ;  for,  now  ye  be 
called  upon  treason,  it  is  time  for  you  to  stir,  for  ye  have 
slept  over-long  and  suffered  over-much.  So  God  me 
help,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  am  right  heavy  of  Sir  Gawaine's 
words,  for  now  he  charged  me  with  a  great  charge  ;  and 
therefore  I  wot  it  as  well  as  ye,  that  I  must  defend  me,  or 
else  to  be  recreant. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  bade  saddle  his  strongest  horse, 
and  bade  let  fetch  his  arms,  and  bring  all  unto  the  gate 
of  the  tower  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  spake  on  high  unto 
King  Arthur,  and  said  :  My  lord  Arthur,  and  noble  king 
that  made  me  knight,  wit  you  well  I  am  right  heavy  for 
your  sake,  that  ye  thus  sue  upon  me  ;  and  always  I  for- 
bare  you,  for  an  I  would  have  been  vengeable,  I  might 
have  met  you  in  midst  of  the  field,  and  there  to  have 
made  your  boldest  knights  full  tame.  And  now  I  have 
forborne  half  a  year,  and  suffered  you  and  Sir  Gawaine 
to  do  what  ye  would  do  ;  and  now  may  I  endure  it  no 
longer,  for  now  must  I  needs  defend  myself,  insomuch 
Sir  Gawaine  hath  appealed  me  of  treason  ;  the  which  is 
greatly  against  my  will  that  ever  I  should  fight  against 
any  of  your  blood,  but  now  I  may  not  forsake  it,  I  am 
driven  thereto  as  a  beast  till  a  bay. 

Then  Sir  Gawaine  said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  an  thou  durst 
do  battle,  leave  thy  babbling  and  come  off,  and  let  us  ease 
our  hearts.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  armed  him  lightly,  and 
mounted  upon  his  horse,  and  either  of  the  knights  gat 
great  spears  in  their  hands,  and  the  host  without  stood 
still  all  apart,  and  the  noble  knights  came  out  of  the  city 


CH.  xxi      OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GAWA1NE  475 

by  a  great  number,  insomuch  that  when  Arthur  saw  the 
number  of  men  and  knights,  he  marvelled,  and  said  to 
himself :  Alas,  that  ever  Sir  Launcelot  was  against  me,  for 
now  I  see  he  hath  forborne  me.  And  so  the  covenant 
was  made,  there  should  no  man  nigh  them,  nor  deal  with 
them,  till  the  one  were  dead  or  yelden. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

How  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Gawaine  did  battle  together ', 
and  how  Sir  Gawaine  was  overthrown  and  hurt. 

THEN  Sir  Gawaine  and  Sir  Launcelot  departed  a  great 
way  asunder,  and  then  they  came  together  with  all  their 
horses'  might  as  they  might  run,  and  either  smote  other 
in  midst  of  their  shields  ;  but  the  knights  were  so  strong, 
and  their  spears  so  big,  that  their  horses  might  not  endure 
their  buffets,  and  so  their  horses  fell  to  the  earth  ;  and 
then  they  avoided  their  horses,  and  dressed  their  shields 
afore  them.  Then  they  stood  together  and  gave  many  sad 
strokes  on  divers  places  of  their  bodies,  that  the  blood 
brast  out  on  many  sides  and  places.  Then  had  Sir 
Gawaine  such  a  grace  and  gift  that  an  holy  man  had 
given  to  him,  that  every  day  in  the  year,  from  under ne 
till  high  noon,  hisL. might  increased  those  three  hours__as 
much  as  thrice  his  strength,  and  that  caused  Sir  IJawaine 
to_wm  great  honour.  And  for  his  sake  King  Arthur 
made  an  ordinance,  that  all  manner  of  battles  for  any 
quarrels  that  should  be  done  afore  King  Arthur  should 
begin  at  underne  ;  and  all  was  done  for  Sir  Gawaine's  love, 
that  by  likelihood,  if  Sir  Gawaine  were  on  the  one  part, 
he  should  have  the  better  in  battle  while  his  strength 
endureth  three  hours;  but  there  were  but  few  knights 
that  time  living  that  knew  this  advantage  that  Sir  Gawaine 
had,  but  King  Arthur  all  only. 

Thus   Sir    Launcelot   fought  with    Sir    Gawaine,  and 
when  Sir  Launcelot  felt  his  might  evermore  increase,  Sir 


476  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

Launcelot  wondered  and  dread  him  sore  to  be  shamed. 
For  as  the  French  book  saith,  Sir  Launcelot  weened,  when 
he  felt  Sir  Gawaine  double  his  strength,  that  he  had  been 
a  fiend  and  none  earthly  man  ;  wherefore  Sir  Launcelot 
traced  and  traversed,  and  covered  himself  with  his  shield, 
and  kept  his  might  and  his  braide  during  three  hours  ; 
and  that  while  Sir  Gawaine  gave  him  many  sad  brunts, 
and  many  sad  strokes,  that  all  the  knights  that  beheld 
Sir  Launcelot  marvelled  how  that  he  might  endure  him  ; 
but  full  little  understood  they  that  travail  that  Sir 
Launcelot  had  for  to  endure  him.  And  then  when  it  was 
past  noon  Sir  Gawaine  had  no  more  but  his  own  might. 
When  Sir  Launcelot  felt  him  so  come  down,  then  he 
stretched  him  up  and  stood  near  Sir  Gawaine,  and  said 
thus  :  My  lord  Sir  Gawaine,  now  I  feel  ye  have  done  ; 
now  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine,  I  must  do  my  part,  for  many 
great  and  grievous  strokes  I  have  endured  you  this  day 
with  great  pain. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  doubled  his  strokes  and  gave  Sir 
Gawaine  such  a  buffet  on  the  helmet  that  he  fell  down 
on  his  side,  and  Sir  Launcelot  withdrew  him  from  him. 
Why  withdrawest  thou  thee  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine  ;  now  turn 
again,  false  traitor  knight,  and  slay  me,  for  an  thou  leave 
me  thus,  when  I  am  whole  I  shall  do  battle  with  thee 
again.  I  shall  endure  you,  Sir,  by  God's  grace,  but  wit 
thou  well,  Sir  Gawaine,  I  will  never  smite  a  felled  knight. 
And  so  Sir  Launcelot  went  into  the  city  ;  and  Sir  Gawaine 
was  borne  into  King  Arthur's  pavilion,  and  leeches  were 
brought  to  him,  and  searched  and  salved  with  soft  oint- 
ments. And  then  Sir  Launcelot  said  :  Now  have  good 
day,  my  lord  the  king,  for  wit  you  well  ye  win  no  worship 
at  these  walls  ;  and  if  I  would  my  knights  outbring,  there 
should  many  a  man  die.  Therefore,  my  lord  Arthur, 
remember  you  of  old  kindness  ;  and  however  I  fare,  Jesu 
be  your  guide  in  all  places. 


CH.  xxn  OF  THE  SORROW  OF  KING  ARTHUR    477 


CHAPTER   XXII 

Of  the  sorrow  that  King  Arthur  made  for  the  war,  and  of 
another  battle  where  also  Sir  Gawaine  had  the  worse. 

ALAS,  said  the  king,  that  ever  this  unhappy  war  was 
begun  ;  for  ever  Sir  Launcelot  forbeareth  me  in  all  places, 
and  in  likewise  my  kin,  and  that  is  seen  well  this  day  by 
my  nephew  Sir  Gawaine.  Then  King  Arthur  fell  sick  for 
sorrow  of  Sir  Gawaine,  that  he  was  so  sore  hurt,  and 
because  of  the  war  betwixt  him  and  Sir  Launcelot.  So 
then  they  on  King  Arthur's  part  kept  the  siege  with  little 
war  withoutforth  ;  and  they  withinforth  kept  their  walls, 
and  defended  them  when  need  was.  Thus  Sir  Gawaine 
lay  sick  three  weeks  in  his  tents,  with  all  manner  of  leech- 
craft  that  might  be  had.  And  as  soon  as  Sir  Gawaine 
might  go  and  ride,  he  armed  him  at  all  points,  and  start 
upon  a  courser,  and  gat  a  spear  in  his  hand,  and  so  he  came 
riding  afore  the  chief  gate  of  Benwick  ;  and  there  he  cried 
on  height :  Where  art  thou,  Sir  Launcelot  ?  Come  forth, 
thou  false  traitor  knight  and  recreant,  for  I  am  here,  Sir 
Gawaine,  will  prove  this  that  I  say  on  thee. 

All  this  language  Sir  Launcelot  heard,  and  then  he 
said  thus  :  Sir  Gawaine,  me  repents  of  your  foul  saying, 
that  ye  will  not  cease  of  your  language  ;  for  you  wot  well, 
Sir  Gawaine,  I  know  your  might  and  all  that  ye  may  do  ; 
and  well  ye  wot,  Sir  Gawaine,  ye  may  not  greatly  hurt 
me.  Come  down,  traitor  knight,  said  he,  and  make  it 
good  the  contrary  with  thy  hands,  for  it  mishapped  me 
the  last  battle  to  be  hurt  of  thy  hands  ;  therefore  wit  thou 
well  I  am  come  this  day  to  make  amends,  for  I  ween  this 
day  to  lay  thee  as  low  as  thou  laidest  me.  Jesu  defend 
me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  ever  I  be  so  far  in  your 
danger  as  ye  have  been  in  mine,  for  then  my  days  were 
done.  But  Sir  Gawaine,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  shall  not 
think  that  I  tarry  long,  but  sithen  that  ye  so  unknightly 
call  me  of  treason,  ye  shall  have  both  your  hands  full  of 


478  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xx 

me.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  armed  him  at  all  points, 
and  mounted  upon  his  horse,  and  gat  a  great  spear  in  his 
hand,  and  rode  out  at  the  gate.  And  both  the  hosts  were 
assembled,  of  them  without  and  of  them  within,  and  stood 
in  array  full  manly.  And  both  parties  were  charged  to 
hold  them  still,  to  see  and  behold  the  battle  of  these  two 
noble  knights.  And  then  they  laid  their  spears  in  their 
rests,  and  they  came  together  as  thunder,  and  Sir  Gawaine 
brake  his  spear  upon  Sir  Launcelot  in  a  hundred  pieces 
unto  his  hand  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot  smote  him  with  a  greater 
might,  that  Sir  Gawaine's  horse's  feet  raised,  and  so  the 
horse  and  he  fell  to  the  earth.  Then  Sir  Gawaine  deliverly 
avoided  his  horse,  and  put  his  shield  afore  him,  and  eagerly 
drew  his  sword,  and  bade  Sir  Launcelot :  Alight,  traitor 
knight,  for  if  this  mare's  son  hath  failed  me,  wit  thou  well 
a  king's  son  and  a  queen's  son  shall  not  fail  thee. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  avoided  his  horse,  and  dressed  his 
shield  afore  him,  and  drew  his  sword  ;  and  so  stood  they 
together  and  gave  many  sad  strokes,  that  all  men  on  both 
parties  had  thereof  passing  great  wonder.  But  when  Sir 
Launcelot  felt  Sir  Gawaine's  might  so  marvellously  in- 
crease, he  then  withheld  his  courage  and  his  wind,  and 
kept  himself  wonder  covert  of  his  might ;  and  under  his 
shield  he  traced  and  traversed  here  and  there,  to  break 
Sir  Gawaine's  strokes  and  his  courage  ;  and  Sir  Gawaine 
enforced  himself  with  all  his  might  and  power  to  destroy 
Sir  Launcelot ;  for  as  the  French  book  saith,  everts  Sir 
Gawaine's  might  increasedT  right  so  increaseoTms  wind 
and  his  evil  will.  Thus  Sir  Gawaine  did  great  pain  unto 
Sir  Launcelot  three  hours,  that  he  had  right  great  pain  for 
to  defend  him. 

And  when  the  three  hours  were  passed,  that  Sir 
Launcelot  felt  that  Sir  Gawaine  was  come  to  his  own 
proper  strength,  then  Sir  Launcelot  said  unto  Sir  Gawaine  : 
Now  have  I  proved  you  twice,  that  ye  are  a  full  dangerous 
knight,  and  a  wonderful  man  of  your  might ;  and  many 
wonderful  deeds  have  ye  done  in  your  days,  for  by  your 
might  increasing  you  have  deceived  many  a  full  noble  and 
valiant  knight ;  and,  now  I  feel  that  ye  have  done  your 


CH.  xxn    GAWAINE  HAS  THE  WORSE  AGAIN      479 

mighty  deeds,  now  wit  you  well  I  must  do  my  deeds. 
And  then  Sir  Launcelot  stood  near  Sir  Gawaine,  and  then 
Sir  Launcelot  doubled  his  strokes  ;  and  Sir  Gawaine  de- 
fended him  mightily,  but  nevertheless  Sir  Launcelot  smote 
such  a  stroke  upon  Sir  Gawaine's  helm,  and  upon  the  old 
wound,  that  Sir  Gawaine  sinked  down  upon  his  one  side 
in  a  swoon.  And  anon  as  he  did  awake  he  waved  and 
foined  at  Sir  Launcelot  as  he  lay,  and  said  :  Traitor 
knight,  wit  thou  well  I  am  not  yet  slain,  come  thou  near 
me  and  perform  this  battle  unto  the  uttermost.  I  will  no 
more  do  than  I  have  done,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  when  I 
see  you  on  foot  I  will  do  battle  upon  you  all  the  while  I 
see  you  stand  on  your  feet ;  but  for  to  smite  a  wounded 
man  that  may  not  stand,  God  defend  me  from  such  a 
shame.  And  then  he  turned  him  and  went  his  way 
toward  the  city.  And  Sir  Gawaine  evermore  calling  him 
traitor  knight,  and  said  :  Wit  thou  well  Sir  Launcelot, 
when  I  am  whole  I  shall  do  battle  with  thee  again,  for  I 
shall  never  leave  thee  till  that  one  of  us  be  slain.  Thus 
as  this  siege  endured,  and  as  Sir  Gawaine  lay  sick  near  a 
month  ;  and  when  he  was  well  recovered  and  ready  within 
three  days  to  do  battle  again  with  Sir  Launcelot,  right  so 
came  tidings  unto  Arthur  from  England  that  made  King 
Arthur  and  all  his  host  to  remove. 


foUotoetfo  tfje  xxu  fcoofc. 


BOOK   XXI 


CHAPTER   I 

How  Sir  Mordred  presumed  and  took  on  him  to  be  King  of 
England,  and  would  have  married  the  queen,  his  father's 
wife. 

As  Sir  Mordred  was  ruler  of  all  England,  he  did  do  make 
letters  as  though  that  they  came  from  beyond  the  sea,  and 
the  letters  specified  that  King  Arthur  was  slain  in  battle 
with  Sir  Launcelot.  Wherefore  Sir  Mordred  made  a 
parliament,  and  called  the  lords  together,  and  there  he 
made  them  to  choose  him  king  ;  and  so  was  he  crowned 
at  Canterbury,  and  held  a  feast  there  fifteen  days  ;  and 
afterward  he  drew  him  unto  Winchester,  and  there  he 
took  the  Queen  Guenever,  and  said  plainly  that  he  would 
wed  her  which  was  his  uncle's  wife  and  his  father's  wife. 
And  so  he  made  ready  for  the  feast,  and  a  day  prefixed 
that  they  should  be  wedded  ;  wherefore  Queen  Guenever 
was  passing  heavy.  But  she  durst  not  discover  her  heart, 
but  spake  fair,  and  agreed  to  Sir  Mordred's  will.  Then 
she  desired  of  Sir  Mordred  for  to  go  to  London,  to  buy 
all  manner  of  things  that  longed  unto  the  wedding.  And 
because  of  her  fair  speech  Sir  Mordred  trusted  her  well 
enough,  and  gave  her  leave  to  go.  And  so  when  she 
came  to  London  she  took  the  Tower  of  London,  and 
suddenly  in  all  haste  possible  she  stuffed  it  with  all 
manner  of  victual,  and  well  garnished  it  with  men,  and  so 
kept  it. 

Then  when  Sir  Mordred  wist  and  understood  how  he 


CHAP,  i       SIR  MORDRED  IS  CHOSEN  KING  481 

was  beguiled,  he  was  passing  wroth  out  of  measure.  And 
a  short  tale  for  to  make,  he  went  and  laid  a  mighty  siege 
about  the  Tower  of  London,  and  made  many  great 
assaults  thereat,  and  threw  many  great  engines  unto  them, 
and  shot  great  guns.  But  all  might  not  prevail  Sir  Mor- 
dred,  for  Queen  Guenever  would  never  for  fair  speech  nor 
for  foul,  would  never  trust  to  come  in  his  hands  again. 

Then  came  the  Bishop  of  Canterbury,  the  which  was 
a  noble  clerk  and  an  holy  man,  and  thus  he  said  to  Sir 
Mordred  :  Sir,  what  will  ye  do  ?  will  ye  first  displease 
God  and  sithen  shame  yourself,  and  all  knighthood  ?  Is 
not  King  Arthur  your  uncle,  no  farther  but  your  mother's 
brother,  and  on  her  himself  King  Arthur  begat  you  upon  his 
own  sister,  therefore  how  may  you  wed  your  father's  wife  ? 
Sir,  said  the  noble  clerk,  leave  this  opinion  or  I  shall  curse 
you  with  book  and  bell  and  candle.  Do  thou  thy  worst, 
said  Sir  Mordred,  wit  thou  well  I  shall  defy  thee.  Sir, 
said  the  Bishop,  and  wit  you  well  I  shall  not  fear  me  to 
do  that  me  ought  to  do.  Also  where  ye  noise  where  my 
lord  Arthur  is  slain,  and  that  is  not  so,  and  therefore  ye 
will  make  a  foul  work  in  this  land.  Peace,  thou  false 
priest,  said  Sir  Mordred,  for  an  thou  chafe  me  any  more 
I  shall  make  strike  off  thy  head.  So  the  Bishop  departed 
and  did  the  cursing  in  the  most  orgulist  wise  that  might 
be  done.  And  then  Sir  Mordred  sought  the  Bishop  of 
Canterbury,  for  to  have  slain  him.  Then  the  Bishop  fled, 
and  took  part  of  his  goods  with  him,  and  went  nigh  unto 
Glastonbury ;  and  there  he  was  as  priest  hermit  in  a 
chapel,  and  lived  in  poverty  and  in  holy  prayers,  for  well 
he  understood  that  mischievous  war  was  at  hand. 

Then  Sir  Mordred  sought  on  Queen  Guenever  by 
letters  and  sonds,  and  by  fair  means  and  foul  means,  for 
to  have  her  to  come  out  of  the  Tower  of  London  ;  but 
all  this  availed  not,  for  she  answered  him  shortly,  openly 
and  privily,  that  she  had  liefer  slay  herself  than  to  be 
married  with  him.  Then  came  word  to  Sir  Mordred  that 
King  Arthur  had  araised  the  siege  for  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
he  was  coming  homeward  with  a  great  host,  to  be  avenged 
upon  Sir  Mordred  ;  wherefore  Sir  Mordred  made  write 

VOL.   II  2  I 


4.82  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

writs  to  all  the  barony  of  this  land,  and  much  people 
drew  to  him.  For  then  was  the  common  voice  among 
them  that  with  Arthur  was  none  other  life  but  war  and 
strife,  and  with  Sir  Mordred  was  great  joy  and  bliss. 
Thus  was  Sir  Arthur  depraved,  and  evil  said  of.  And 
many  there  were  that  King  Arthur  had  made  up  of 
nought,  and  given  them  lands,  might  not  then  say  him  a 
good  word.  Lo  ye  all  Englishmen,  see  ye  not  what  a 
mischief  here  was !  for  he  that  was  the  most  king  and 
knight  of  the  world,  and  most  loved  the  fellowship  of 
noble  knights,  and  by  him  they  were  all  upholden,  now 
might  not  these  Englishmen  hold  them  content  with  him. 
Lo  thus  was  the  old  custom  and  usage  of  this  land  ;  and 
also  men  say  that  we  of  this  land  have  not  yet  lost  nor 
forgotten  that  custom  and  usage.  Alas,  this  is  a  great 
default  of  us  Englishmen,  for  there  may  no  thing  please 
us  no  term.  And  so  fared  the  people  at  that  time,  they 
were  better  pleased  with  Sir  Mordred  than  they  were  with 
King  Arthur  ;  and  much  people  drew  unto  Sir  Mordred, 
and  said  they  would  abide  with  him  for  better  and  for 
worse.  And  so  Sir  Mordred  drew  with  a  great  host  to 
Dover,  for  there  he  heard  say  that  Sir  Arthur  would 
arrive,  and  so  he  thought  to  beat  his  own  father  from  his 
lands  ;  and  the  most  part  of  all  England  held  with  Sir 
Mordred,  the  people  were  so  new-fangle. 


CHAPTER  II 

How  after  that  King  Arthur  had  tidings,  he  returned  and 
came  to  Dover ',  where  Sir  Mordred  met  him  to  let  his 
landing ;  and  of  the  death  of  Sir  Gawaine. 

AND  so  as  Sir  Mordred  was  at  Dover  with  his  host,  there 
came  King  Arthur  with  a  great  navy  of  ships,  and  galleys, 
and  carracks.  And  there  was  Sir  Mordred  ready  awaiting 
upon  his  landing,  to  let  his  own  father  to  land  upon  the 
land  that  he  was  king  over.  Then  there  was  launching 


CHAP,  ii    OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND  MORDRED       483 

of  great  boats  and  small,  and  full  of  noble  men  of  arms  ; 
and  there  was  much  slaughter  of  gentle  knights,  and 
many  a  full  bold  baron  was  laid  full  low,  on  both  parties. 
But  King  Arthur  was  so  courageous  that  there  might  no 
manner  of  knights  let  him  to  land,  and  his  knights  fiercely 
followed  him  ;  and  so  they  landed  maugre  Sir  Mordred 
and  all  his  power,  and  put  Sir  Mordred  aback,  that  he 
fled  and  all  his  people. 

So  when  this  battle  was  done,  King  Arthur  let  bury 
his  people  that  were  dead.  And  then  was  noble  Sir 
Gawaine  found  in  a  great  boat,  lying  more  than  half  dead. 
When  Sir  Arthur  wist  that  Sir  Gawaine  was  laid  so  low, 
he  went  unto  him  ;  and  there  the  king  made  sorrow  out 
of  measure,  and  took  Sir  Gawaine  in  his  arms,  and  thrice 
he  there  swooned.  And  then  when  he  awaked,  he  said  : 
Alas,  Sir  Gawaine,  my  sister's  son,  here  now  thou  liest, 
the  man  in  the  world  that  I  loved  most ;  and  now  is  my 
joy  gone,  for  now,  my  nephew  Sir  Gawaine,  I  will  discover 
me  unto  your  person  :  in  Sir  Launcelot  and  you  I  most 
had  my  joy,  and  mine  affiance,  and  now  have  I  lost  my 
joy  of  you  both  ;  wherefore  all  mine  earthly  joy  is  gone 
from  me.  Mine  uncle  King  Arthur,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
wit  you  well  my  death-day  is  come,  and  all  is  through 
mine  own  hastiness  and  wilfulness  ;  foFI  am  smitten  upon 
the  old  wound  the  which  bir  JLauncelot  gave  me,  on  the 
which  I  feel  well  I  must  die  ;  and  had  Sir  Launcelot  been 
with  you  as  he  was,  this  unhappy  war  had  never  begun  ; 
and  of  all  this  am  I  causer,  for  Sir  Launcelot  and  his 
blood,  through  their  prowess,  held  all  your  cankered 
enemies  in  subjection  and  daunger.  And  now,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  ye  shall  miss  Sir  Launcelot.  But  alas,  I  would 
not  accord  with  him,  and  therefore,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I 
pray  you,  fair  uncle,  that  I  may  have  paper,  pen,  and  ink, 
that  I  may  write  to  Sir  Launcelot  a  cedle  with  mine  own 
hands. 

And  then  when  paper  and  ink  was  brought,  then 
Gawaine  was  set  up  weakly  by  King  Arthur,  for  he  was 
shriven  a  little  to-fore  ;  and  then  he  wrote  thus,  as  the 
French  book  maketh  mention  :  Unto  Sir  Launcelot,  flower 


484  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

of  all  noble  knights  that  ever  I  heard  of  or  saw  by  my 
days,  I,  Sir  Gawaine,  King  Lot's  son  of  Orkney,  sister's 
son  unto  the  noble  King  Arthur,  send  thee  greeting,  and 
let  thee  have  knowledge  that  the  tenth  day  of  May  I  was 
smitten  upon  the  old  wound  that  thou  gavest  me  afore  the 
city  of  Benwick,  and  through  the  same  wound  that  thou 
gavest  me  I  am  come  to  my  death-day.  And  I  will  that 
all  the  world  wit,  that  I,  Sir  Gawaine,  knight  of  the  Table 
Round,  sought  my  death,  and  not  through  thy  deserving, 
but  it  was  mine  own  seeking  ;  wherefore  I  beseech  thee, 
Sir  Launcelot,  to  return  again  unto  this  realm,  and  see 
my  tomb,  and  pray  some  prayer  more  or  less  for  my  soul. 
And  this  same  day  that  I  wrote  this  cedle,  I  was  hurt  to 
the  death  in  the  same  wound,  the  which  I  had  of  thy 
hand,  Sir  Launcelot ;  for  of  a  more  nobler  man  might 
I  not  be  slain.  Also  Sir  Launcelot,  for  all  the  love 
that  ever  was  betwixt  us,  make  no  tarrying,  but  come 
over  the  sea  in  all  haste,  that  thou  mayst  with  thy  noble 
knights  rescue  that  noble  king  that  made  thee  knight,  that 
is  my  lord  Arthur  ;  for  he  is  full  straitly  bestead  with  a 
false  traitor,  that  is  my  half-brother,  Sir  Mordred  ;  and  he 
hath  let  crown  him  king,  and  would  have  wedded  my  lady 
Queen  Guenever,  and  so  had  he  done  had  she  not  put 
herself  in  the  Tower  of  London.  And  so  the  tenth  day 
of  May  last  past,  my  lord  Arthur  and  we  all  landed  upon 
them  at  Dover  ;  and  there  we  put  that  false  traitor,  Sir 
Mordred,  to  flight,  and  there  it  misfortuned  me  to  be 
stricken  upon  thy  stroke.  And  at  the  date  of  this  letter 
was  written,  but  two  hours  and  a  half  afore  my  death, 
written  with  mine  own  hand,  and  so  subscribed  with  part 
of  my  heart's  blood.  And  I  require  thee,  most  famous 
knight  of  the  world,  that  thou  wilt  see  my  tomb.  And 
then  Sir  Gawaine  wept,  and  King  Arthur  wept ;  and  then 
they  swooned  both.  And  when  they  awaked  both,  the 
king  made  Sir  Gawaine  to  receive  his  Saviour.  And  then 
Sir  Gawaine  prayed  the  king  for  to  send  for  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  to  cherish  him  above  all  other  knights. 

And  so  at  the  hour  of  noon  Sir  Gawaine  yielded  up 
the  spirit ;  and  then  the  king  let  inter  him  in  a  chapel 


CHAP,  in         OF  SIR  GAWAINE'S  GHOST  485 

within  Dover  Castle  ;  and  there  yet  all  men  may  see  the 
skull  of  him,  and  the  same  wound  is  seen  that  Sir  Launce- 
lot  gave  him  in  battle.  Then  was  it  told  the  king  that 
Sir  Mordred  had  pight  a  new  field  upon  Barham  Down. 
And  upon  the  morn  the  king  rode  thither  to  him,  and 
there  was  a  great  battle  betwixt  them,  and  much  people 
was  slain  on  both  parties  ;  but  at  the  last  Sir  Arthur's 
party  stood  best,  and  Sir  Mordred  and  his  party  fled  unto 
Canterbury. 


CHAPTER   III 

How  after,  Sir   Gawaines  ghost  appeared  to  King  Arthur, 
and  warned  him  that  he  should  not  fight  that  day. 

AND  then  the  king  let  search  all  the  towns  for  his  knights 
that  were  slain,  and  interred  them  ;  and  salved  them  with 
soft  salves  that  so  sore  were  wounded.  Then  much  people 
drew  unto  King  Arthur.  And  then  they  said  that  Sir 
Mordred  warred  upon  King  Arthur  with  wrong.  And 
then  King  Arthur  drew  him  with  his  host  down  by  the 
seaside,  westward  toward  Salisbury ;  and  there  was  a  day 
assigned  betwixt  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Mordred,  that  they 
should  meet  upon  a  down  beside  Salisbury,  and  not  far 
from  the  seaside  ;  and  this  day  was  assigned  on  a  Monday 
after  Trinity  Sunday,  whereof  King  Arthur  was  passing 
glad,  that  he  might  be  avenged  upon  Sir  Mordred.  Then 
Sir  Mordred  araised  much  people  about  London,  for  they 
of  Kent,  Southsex,  and  Surrey,  Estsex,  and  of  Southfolk, 
and  of  Northfolk,  held  the  most  part  with  Sir  Mordred  ; 
and  many  a  full  noble  knight  drew  unto  Sir  Mordred  and 
to  the  king  :  but  they  that  loved  Sir  Launcelot  drew  unto 
Sir  Mordred. 

So  upon  Trinity  Sunday  at  night,  King  Arthur  dreamed 
a  wonderful  dream,  and  that  was  this  :  that  him  seemed 
he  sat  upon  a  chaflet  in  a  chair,  and  the  chair  was  fast  to 
a  wheel,  and  thereupon  sat  King  Arthur  in  the  richest 
cloth  of  gold  that  might  be  made  ;  and  the  king  thought 


486  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

there  was  under  him,  far  from  him,  an  hideous  deep  black 
water,  and  therein  were  all  manner  of  serpents,  and  worms, 
and  wild  beasts,  foul  and  horrible  ;  and  suddenly  the  king 
thought  the  wheel  turned  up-so-down,  and  he  fell  among 
the  serpents,  and  every  beast  took  him  by  a  limb  ;  and 
then  the  king  cried  as  he  lay  in  his  bed  and  slept :  Help. 
And  then  knights,  squires,  and  yeomen,  awaked  the  king  ; 
and  then  he  was  so  amazed  that  he  wist  not  where  he  was  ; 
and  then  he  fell  a-slumbering  again,  not  sleeping  nor 
thoroughly  waking.  So  the  king  seemed  verily  that  there 
came  Sir  Gawaine  unto  him  with  a  number  of  fair  ladies 
with  him.  And  when  King  Arthur  saw  him,  then  he 
said  :  Welcome,  my  sister's  son  ;  I  weened  thou  hadst 
been  dead,  and  now  I  see  thee  alive,  much  am  I  beholding 
unto  Almighty  Jesu.  O  fair  nephew  and  my  sister's  son, 
what  be  these  ladies  that  hither  be  come  with  you  ?  Sir, 
said  Sir  Gawaine,  all  these  be  ladies  for  whom  I  have 
foughten  when  I  was  man  living,  and  all  these  are  those 
that  I  did  battle  for  in  righteous  quarrel ;  and  God  hath 
given  them  that  grace  at  their  great  prayer,  because  I  did 
battle  for  them,  that  they  should  bring  me  hither  unto 
you  :  thus  much  hath  God  given  me  leave,  for  to  warn 
you  of  your  death  :  for  an  ye  fight  as  to-morn  with  bir 
Mordred,  as  ye  both  have  assigned,  doubt  ye  not  ye  must 
be  slain,  and  the  most  part  of  your  people  on  both  parties. 
And  for  the  great  grace  and  goodness  that  almighty  Jesu 
hath  unto  you,  and  for  pity  of  you,  and  many  more  other 
good  men  there  shall  be  slain,  God  hath  sent  me  to  you  of 
his  special  grace,  to  give  you  warning  thatJn_jio_w_ise_y_e 
do  battle  as  to-morn,  but  that  ye  take  a  treaty  for  a  month 
day  ;  and  proffer  you  largely,  so  as  to-morn  to  be  put  in 
a  delay.  For  within  a  month  shall  come  Sir  Launcelot 
with  all  his  noble  knights,  and  rescue  you  worshipfully, 
and  slay  Sir  Mordred,  and  all  that  ever  will  hold  with 
him.  Then  Sir  Gawaine  and  all  the  ladies  vanished. 

And  anon  the  king  called  upon  his  knights,  squires, 
and  yeomen,  and  charged  them  wightly  to  fetch  his  noble 
lords  and  wise  bishops  unto  him.  And  when  they  were 
come,  the  king  told  them  his  avision,  what  Sir  Gawaine  had 


CHAP,  iv          HOW  THE  BATTLE  BEGAN  487 

told  him,  and  warned  him  that  if  he  fought  on  the  morn 
he  should  be  slain.  Then  the  king  commanded  Sir  Lucan 
the  Butler,  and  his  brother  Sir  Bedivere,  with  two  bishops 
with  them,  and  charged  them  in  any  wise,  an  they  might, 
Take  a  treaty  for  a  month  day  with  Sir  Mordred,  and  spare 
not,  proffer  him  lands  and  goods  as  much  as  ye  think 
best.  So  then  they  departed,  and  came  to  Sir  Mordred, 
where  he  had  a  grim  host  of  an  hundred  thousand  men. 
And  there  they  entreated  Sir  Mordred  long  time  ;  and  at 
the  last  Sir  Mordred  was  agreed  for  to  have  Cornwall  and 
Kent,  by  Arthur's  days  :  after,  all  England,  after  the  days 
of  King  Arthur. 


CHAPTER   IV 

How  by  misadventure  of  an  adder  the  battle  began,  where 
Mordred  was  slain,  and  Arthur  hurt  to  the  death. 

THEN  were  they  condescended  that  King  Arthur  and 
Sir  Mordred  should  meet  betwixt  both  their  hosts,  and 
everych  of  them  should  bring  fourteen  persons  ;  and  they 
came  with  this  word  unto  Arthur.  Then  said  he  :  I  am 
glad  that  this  is  done  :  and  so  he  went  into  the  field.  And 
when  Arthur  should  depart,  he  warned  all  his  host  that  an 
they  see  any  sword  drawn  :  Look  ye  come  on  fiercely,  and 
slay  that  traitor,  Sir  Mordred,  for  I  in  no  wise  trust  him. 
In  like  wise  Sir  Mordred  warned  his  host  that :  An  ye  see 
any  sword  drawn,  look  that  ye  come  on  fiercely,  and  so 
slay  all  that  ever  before  you  standeth  ;  for  in  no  wise  I 
will  not  trust  for  this  treaty,  for  I  know  well  my  father 
will  be  avenged  on  me.  And  so  they  met  as  their  appoint- 
ment was,  and  so  they  were  agreed  and  accorded  thor- 
oughly ;  and  wine  was  fetched,  and  they  drank.  Right 
soon  came  an  adder  out  of  a  little  heath  bush,  and  it  stung 
a  knight  on  the  foot.  And  when  the  knight  felt  him 
stung,  he  looked  down  and  saw  the  adder,  and  then  he 
drew  his  sword  to  slay  the  adder,  and  thought  of  none 
other  harm.  And  when  the  host  on  both  parties  saw  that 


488  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

sword  drawn,  then  they  blew  beams,  trumpets,  and  horns, 
and  shouted  grimly.  And  so  both  hosts  dressed  them 
together.  And  King  Arthur  took  his  horse,  and  said  : 
Alas  this  unhappy  day !  and  so  rode  to  his  party.  And 
Sir  Mordred  in  like  wise.  And  never  was  there  seen  a 
more  dolefuller  battle  in  no  Christian  land  ;  for  there  was 
but  rushing  and  riding,  foining  and  striking,  and  many  a 
grim  word  was  there  spoken  either  to  other,  and  many  a 
deadly  stroke.  But  ever  King  Arthur  rode  throughout 
the  battle  of  Sir  Mordred  many  times,  and  did  full  nobly 
as  a  noble  king  should,  and  at  all  times  he  fainted  never  ; 
and  Sir  Mordred  that  day  put  him  in  devoir,  and  in  great 
peril.  And  thus  they  fought  all  the  long  day,  and  never 
stinted  till  the  noble  knights  were  laid  to  the  cold  earth  ; 
and  ever  they  fought  still  till  it  was  near  night,  and  by 
that  time  was  there  an  hundred  thousand  laid  dead  upon 
the  down.  Then  was  Arthur  wood  wroth  out  of  measure, 
when  he  saw  his  people  so  slain  from  him. 

Then  the  king  looked  about  him,  and  then  was  he 
ware,  of  all  his  host  and  of  all  his  good  knights,  were  left 
no  more  alive  but  two  knights ;  that  one  was  Sir  Lucan 
the  Butler,  and  his  brother  Sir  Bedivere,  and  they  were 
full  sore  wounded.  Jesu  mercy,  said  the  king,  where  are 
all  my  noble  knights  become  ?  Alas  that  ever  I  should 
see  this  doleful  day,  for  now,  said  Arthur,  I  am  come  to 
mine  end.  But  would  to  God  that  I  wist  where  were  that 
traitor  Sir  Mordred,  that  hath  caused  all  this  mischief. 
Then  was  King  Arthur  ware  where  Sir  Mordred  leaned 
upon  his  sword  among  a  great  heap  of  dead  men.  Now 
give  me  my  spear,  said  Arthur  unto  Sir  Lucan,  for  yonder 
I  have  espied  the  traitor  that  all  this  woe  hath  wrought. 
Sir,  let  him  be,  said  Sir  Lucan,  for  he  is  unhappy  ;  and  if 
ye  pass  this  unhappy  day  ye  shall  be  right  well  revenged 
upon  him.  Good  lord,  remember  ye  of  your  night's 
dream,  and  what  the  spirit  of  Sir  Gawaine  told  you  this 
night,  yet  God  of  his  great  goodness  hath  preserved  you 
hitherto.  Therefore,  for  God's  sake,  my  lord,  leave  off 
by  this,  for  blessed  be  God  ye  have  won  the  field,  for  here 
we  be  three  alive,  and  with  Sir  Mordred  is  none  alive  ; 


>< 


CHAP,  iv          HOW  ARTHUR  WAS  HURT  489 

and  if  ye  leave  off  now  this  wicked  day  of  destiny  is  past. 
Tide  me  death,  betide  me  life,  saith  the  king,  now  I  see 
him  yonder  alone  he  shall  never  escape  mine  hands,  for  at 
a  better  avail  shall  I  never  have  him.  God  speed  you 
well,  said  Sir  Bedivere. 

Then  the  king  gat  his  spear  in  both  his  hands,  and  ran 
toward  Sir  Mordred,  crying  :  Traitor,  now  is  thy  death- 
day  come.  And  when  Sir  Mordred  heard  Sir  Arthur,  he 
ran  until  him  with  his  sword  drawn  in  his  hand.  And 
there  King  Arthur  smote  Sir  Mordred  under  the  shield, 
with  a  foin  of  his  spear,  throughout  the  body,  more  than 
a  fathom.  And  when  Sir  Mordred  felt  that  he  had  his 
death  wound  he  thrust  himself  with  the  might  that  he 
had  up  to  the  bur  of  King  Arthur's  spear.  And  right 
so  he  smote  his  father  Arthur,  with  his  sword  holden  in 
both  his  hands,  on  the  side  of  the  head,  that  the  sword 
pierced  the  helmet  and  the  brain-pan,  and  therewithal  Sir 
Mordred  fell  stark  dead  to  the  earth;  and  the  noble 
Arthur  fell  in  a  swoon  to  the  earth,  and  there  he  swooned 
ofttimes.  And  Sir  Lucan  the  Butler  and  Sir  Bedivere 
ofttimes  heaved  him  up.  And  so  weakly  they  led  him 
betwixt  them  both,  to  a  little  chapel  not  far  from  the  sea- 
side. And  when  the  king  was  there  he  thought  him  well 
eased. 

Then  heard  they  people  cry  in  the  field.  Now  go 
thou,  Sir  Lucan,  said  the  king,  and  do  me  to  wit  what 
betokens  that  noise  in  the  field.  So  Sir  Lucan  departed, 
for  he  was  grievously  wounded  in  many  places.  And  so 
as  he  yede,  he  saw  and  hearkened  by  the  moonlight,  how 
that  pillers  and  robbers  were  come  into  the  field,  to  pill 
and  to  rob  many  a  full  noble  knight  of  brooches,  and 
beads,  of  many  a  good  ring,  and  of  many  a  rich  jewel ; 
and  who  that  were  not  dead  all  out,  there  they  slew  them 
for  their  harness  and  their  riches.  When  Sir  Lucan  under- 
stood this  work,  he  came  to  the  king  as  soon  as  he  might, 
and  told  him  all  what  he  had  heard  and  seen.  Therefore 
by  my  rede,  said  Sir  Lucan,  it  is  best  that  we  bring  you 
to  some  town.  I  would  it  were  so,  said  the  king. 


490  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 


CHAPTER  V 

How  King  Arthur  commanded  to  cast  his  sword  Excalibur 
into  the  water,  and  how  he  was  delivered  to  ladies  in 
a  barge. 

BUT  I  may  not  stand,  mine  head  works  so.  AJi  Sir 
Launcelot,  said  King  Arthur,  this  day  Have  I  sore  missed 
thee  :  alas,  that  ever  I  was  against  thee,  for  now  have  t 
my  death,  whereof  Sir  Gawaine  me  warned  in  my  dream. 
Then  Sir  Lucan  took  up  the  king  the  one  part,  and  Sir 
Bedivere  the  other  part,  and  in  the  lifting  the  king 
swooned  ;  and  Sir  Lucan  fell  in  a  swoon  with  the  lift, 
that  the  part  of  his  guts  fell  out  of  his  body,  and  there- 
with the  noble  knight's  heart  brast.  And  when  the  king 
awoke,  he  beheld  Sir  Lucan,  how  he  lay  foaming  at  the 
mouth,  and  part  of  his  guts  lay  at  his  feet.  Alas,  said 
the  king,  this  is  to  me  a  full  heavy  sight,  to  see  this  noble 
duke  so  die  for  my  sake,  for  he  would  have  holpen  me, 
that  had  more  need  of  help  than  I.  Alas,  he  would  not 
complain  him,  his  heart  was  so  set  to  help  me  :  now  Jesu 
have  mercy  upon  his  soul !  Then  Sir  Bedivere  wept  for 
the  death  of  his  brother.  Leave  this  mourning  and  weep- 
ing, said  the  king,  for  all  this  will  not  avail  me,  for  wit 
thou  well  an  I  might  live  myself,  the  death  of  Sir  Lucan 
would  grieve  me  evermore  ;  but  my  time  hieth  fast,  said 
the  king.  Therefore,  said  Arthur  unto  Sir  Bedivere,  take 
thou  Excalibur,  my  good  sword,  and  go  with  it  to  yonder 
water  side,  and  when  thou  comest  there  I  charge  thee 
throw  my  sword  in  that  water,  and  come  again  and  tell 
me  what  thou  there  seest.  My  lord,  said  Bedivere,  your 
commandment  shall  be  done,  and  lightly  bring  you  word 
again. 

So  Sir  Bedivere  departed,  and  by  the  way  he  beheld 
that  noble  sword,  that  the  pommel  and  the  haft  was  all  of" 
precious  stones  ;  and  then  he  said  to  himself :  If  I  throw 
this  rich  sword  in  the  water,  thereof  shall  never  come 


CM.V       OF  ARTHUR'S  SWORD  EXCALIBUR        491 

good,  but  harm  and  loss.  And  then  Sir  Bedivere  hid 
Excalibur  under  a  tree.  And  so,  as  soon  as  he  might,  he 
came  again  unto  the  king,  and  said  he  had  been  at  the 
water,  and  had  thrown  the  sword  in  the  water.  What 
saw  thou  there  ?  said  the  king.  Sir,  he  said,  I  saw  nothing 
but  waves  and  winds.  That  is  untruly  said  of  thee,  said 
the  king,  therefore  go  thou  lightly  again,  and  do  my  com- 
mandment ;  as  thou  art  to  me  lief  and  dear,  spare  not, 
but  throw  it  in.  Then  Sir  Bedivere  returned  again,  and 
took  the  sword  in  his  hand  ;  and  then  him  thought  sin 
and  shame  to  throw  away  that  noble  sword,  and  so  eft  he 
hid  the  sword,  and  returned  again,  and  told  to  the  king 
that  he  had  been  at  the  water,  and  done  his  commandment. 
What  saw  thou  there  ?  said  the  king.  Sir,  he  said,  I  saw 
nothing  but  the  waters  wap  and  waves  wan.  Ah,  traitor 
untrue,  said  King  Arthur,  now  hast  thou  betrayed  me 
twice.  Who  would  have  weened  that,  thou  that  hast  been 
to  me  so  lief  and  dear  ?  and  thou  art  named  a  noble 
knight,  and  would  betray  me  for  the  richness  of  the  sword. 
But  now  go  again  lightly,  for  thy  long  tarrying  putteth 
me  in  great  jeopardy  of  my  life,  for  I  have  taken  cold. 
And  but  if  thou  do  now  as  I  bid  thee,  if  ever  I  may  see 
thee,  I  shall  slay  thee  with  mine  own  hands  ;  for  thou 
wouldst  for  my  rich  sword  see  me  dead. 

Then  Sir  Bedivere  departed,  and  went  to  the  sword, 
and  lightly  took  it  up,  and  went  to  the  water  side  ;  and 
there  he  bound  the  girdle  about  the  hilts,  and  then  he 
threw  the  sword  as  far  into  the  water  as  he  might ;  and 
there  came  an  arm  and  an  hand  above  the  water  and  met 
it,  and  caught  it,  and  so  shook  it  thrice  and  brandished, 
and  then  vanished  away  the  hand  with  the  sword  in  the 
water.  So  Sir  Bedivere  came  again  to  the  king,  and  told 
him  what  he  saw.  Alas,  said  the  king,  help  me  hence,  for 
I  dread  me  I  have  tarried  over  long.  Then  Sir  Bedivere 
took  the  king  upon  his  back,  and  so  went  with  him  to 
that  water  side.  And  when  they  were  at  the  water  side, 
even  fast  by  the  bank  hoved  a  little  barge  with  many  fair 
ladies  in  it,  and  among  them  all  was  a  queen,  and  all  they 
had  black  hoods,  and  all  they  wept  and  shrieked  when 


49*  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

they  saw  King  Arthur.  Now  put  me  into  the  barge,  said 
the  king.  And  so  he  did  softly  ;  and  there  received  him 
three  queens  with  great  mourning  ;  and  so  they  set  them 
down,  and  in  one  of  their  laps  King  Arthur  laid  his  head. 
And  then  that  queen  said  :  Ah,  dear  brother,  why  have 
ye  tarried  so  long  from  me  ?  alas,  this  wound  on  your  head 
hath  caught  over-much  cold.  And  so  then  they  rowed 
from  the  land,  and  Sir  Bedivere  beheld  all  those  ladies  go 
from  him.  Then  Sir  Bedivere  cried  :  Ah  my  lord  Arthur, 
what  shall  become  of  me,  now  ye  go  from  me  and  leave 
me  here  alone  among  mine  enemies  ?  Comfort  thyself, 
said  the  king,  and  do  as  well  as  thou  mayst,  for  in  me  is 
no  trust  for  to  trust  in  ;  for  I  will  into  the  vale  of  Avilion 
to  heal  me  of  my  grievous  wound :  and  if  thou  hear  never 
more  of  me,  pray  for  my  soul.  But  ever  the  queens  and 
ladies  wept  and  shrieked,  that  it  was  pity  to  hear.  And 
as  soon  as  Sir  Bedivere  had  lost  the  sight  of  the  barge,  he 
wept  and  wailed,  and  so  took  the  forest ;  and  so  he  went 
all  that  night,  and  in  the  morning  he  was  ware  betwixt  two 
holts  hoar,  of  a  chapel  and  an  hermitage. 


CHAPTER  VI 

How  Sir  Bedivere  found  him  on  the  morrow  dead  in  an 
hermitage,  and  how  he  abode  there  with  the  hermit. 

THEN  was  Sir  Bedivere  glad,  and  thither  he  went ;  and 
when  he  came  into  the  chapel,  he  saw  where  lay  an  hermit 
grovelling  on  all  four,  there  fast  by  a  tomb  was  new  graven. 
When  the  hermit  saw  Sir  Bedivere  he  knew  him  well,  for 
he  was  but  little  to-fore  Bishop  of  Canterbury,  that  Sir 
Mordred  flemed.  Sir,  said  Bedivere,  what  man  is  there 
interred  that  ye  pray  so  fast  for  ?  Fair  son,  said  the 
hermit,  I  wot  not  verily,  but  by  deeming.  But  this  night, 
at  midnight,  here  came  a  number  of  ladies,  and  brought 
hither  a  dead  corpse,  and  prayed  me  to  bury  him  ;  and 
here  they  offered  an  hundred  tapers,  and  they  gave  me  an 


CH.  vi     OF  THE  DEATH  OF  KING  ARTHUR         493 

hundred  besants.  Alas,  said  Sir  Bedivere,  that  was  my 
lord  King  Arthur,  that  here  lieth  buried  in  this  chapel. 
Then  Sir  Bedivere  swooned  ;  and  when  he  awoke  he 
prayed  the  hermit  he  might  abide  with  him  still  there,  to 
live  with  fasting  and  prayers.  For  from  hence  will  I 
never  go,  said  Sir  Bedivere,  by  my  will,  but  all  the  days 
of  my  life  here  to  pray  for  my  lord  Arthur.  Ye  are 
welcome  to  me,  said  the  hermit,  for  I  know  ye  better 
than  ye  ween  that  I  do.  Ye  are  the  bold  Bedivere,  and 
the  full  noble  duke,  Sir  Lucan  the  Butler,  was  your 
brother.  Then  Sir  Bedivere  told  the  hermit  all  as  ye 
have  heard  to-fore.  So  there  bode  Sir  Bedivere  with  the 
hermit  that  was  to-fore  Bishop  of  Canterbury,  and  there 
Sir  Bedivere  put  upon  him  poor  clothes,  and  served  the 
hermit  full  lowly  in  fasting  and  in  prayers. 

Thus  of  Arthur  I  find  never  more  written  in  books 
that  be  authorised,  nor  more  of  the  very  certainty  of  his 
death  heard  I  never  read,  but  thus  was  he  led  away  in  a 
ship  wherein  were  three  queens ;  that  one  was  King 
Arthur's  sister,  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay  ;  the  other  was  the 
Queen  of  Northgalis ;  the  third  was  the  Queen  of  the 
Waste  Lands.  Also  there  was  Nimue,  the  chief  lady  of 
the  lake,  that  had  wedded  Pelleas  the  good  knight ;  and 
this  lady  had  done  much  for  King  Arthur,  for  she  would 
never  suffer  Sir  Pelleas  to  be  in  no  place  where  he  should 
be  in  danger  of  his  life  ;  and  so  he  lived  to  the  uttermost 
of  his  days  with  her  in  great  rest.  More  of  the  death  of 
King  Arthur  could  I  never  find,  but  that  ladies  brought 
him  to  his  burials ;  and  such  one  was  buried  there,  that 
the  hermit  bare  witness  that  sometime  was  Bishop  of 
Canterbury,  but  yet  the  hermit  knew  not  in  certain  that 
he  was  verily  the  body  of  King  Arthur  :  for  this  tale  Sir 
Bedivere,  knight  of  the  Table  Round,  made  it  to  be 
written. 


494  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 


CHAPTER   VII 

Of  the  opinion  of  some  men  of  the  death  of  King  Arthur ; 
and  how  Queen  Guenever  made  her  a  nun  in  Almesbury. 

YET  some  men  say  in  many  parts  of  England  that  King 
Arthur  is  not  dead,  but  had  by  the  will  of  our  Lord  Jesu 
into  another  place  ;  and  men  say  that  he  shall  come  again, 
and  he  shall  win  the  holy  cross.  I  will  not  say  it  shall  be 
so,  but  rather  I  will  say  :  here  in  this  world  he  changed 
his  life.  But  many  men  say  that  there  is  written  upon  his 

tomb  this  verse :   |^tc  jacet  gfrtfjurus,  i&ex  quontiam, 

2&exqtt0  ftltttruS,  Thus  leave  I  here  Sir  Bedivere  with  the 
hermit,  that  dwelled  that  time  in  a  chapel  beside  Glaston- 
bury,  and  there  was  his  hermitage.  And  so  they  lived  in 
their  prayers,  and  fastings,  and  great  abstinence.  And 
when  Queen  Guenever  understood  that  King  Arthur  was 
slain,  and  all  the  noble  knights,  Sir  Mordred  and  all  the 
remnant,  then  the  queen  stole  away,  and  five  ladies  with 
her,  and  so  she  went  to  Almesbury  ;  and  there  she  let 
make  herself  a  nun,  and  ware  white  clothes  and  black, 
and  great  penance  she  took,  as  ever  did  sinful  lady  in  this 
land,  and  never  creature  could  make  her  merry  ;  but  lived 
in  fasting,  prayers,  and  alms-deeds,  that  all  manner  of 
people  marvelled  how  virtuously  she  was  changed.  Now 
leave  we  Queen  Guenever  in  Almesbury,  a  nun  in  white 
clothes  and  black,  and  there  she  was  Abbess  and  ruler 
as  reason  would  ;  and  turn  we  from  her,  and  speak  we  of 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

How  when  Sir  Launcelot  heard  of  the  death  of  King 
Arthur^  and  of  Sir  Gawaine,  and  other  matters^  he 
came  into  England. 

AND  when  he  heard  in  his  country  that  Sir  Mordred  was 
crowned  king  in  England,  and  made  war  against  King 


CH.  viii       OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT'S  RETURN  495 

Arthur,  his  own  father,  and  would  let  him  to  land  in  his 
own  land  ;  also  it  was  told  Sir  Launcelot  how  that  Sir  Mor- 
dred  had  laid  siege  about  the  Tower  of  London,  because  the 
queen  would  not  wed  him ;  then  was  Sir  Launcelot  wroth 
out  of  measure,  and  said  to  his  kinsmen  :  Alas,  that 
double  traitor  Sir  Mordred,  now  me  repenteth  that  ever  he 
escaped  my  hands,  for  much  shame  hath  he  done  unto  my 
lord  Arthur  ;  for  all  I  feel  by  the  doleful  letter  that  rnv 
lord  Sir  Gawaine  sent  me,  on  whose  soul  Jesu  have  mercy, 
that  my  lord  Arthur  is  full  hard  bestead.  Alas,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  that  ever  I  should  live  to  hear  that  most  noble 
king  that  made  me  knight  thus  to  be  overset  with  his  sub- 
ject in  his  own  realm.  And  this  doleful  letter  that  my 
lord,  Sir  Gawaine,  hath  sent  me  afore  his  death,  praying 
me  to  see  his  tomb,  wit  you  well  his  doleful  words  shall 
never  go  from  mine  heart,  for  he  was  a  full  noble  knight 
as  ever  was  born  ;  and  in  an  unhappy  hour  was  I  born 
that  ever  I  should  have  that  unhap  to  slay  first  Sir 
Gawaine,  Sir  Gaheris  the  good  knight,  and  mine  own 
friend  Sir  Gareth,  that  full  noble  knight.  Alas,  I  may 
say  I  am  unhappy,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  ever  I  should 
do  thus  unhappily,  and,  alas,  yet  might  I  never  have  hap 
to  slay  that  traitor,  Sir  Mordred. 

Leave  your  complaints,  said  Sir  Bors,  and  first  revenge 
you  of  the  death  of  Sir  Gawaine  ;  and  it  will  be  well  done 
that  ye  see  Sir  Gawaine's  tomb,  and  secondly  that  ye 
revenge  my  lord  Arthur,  and  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever. 
I  thank  you,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  ever  ye  will  my 
worship. 

Then  they  made  them  ready  in  all  the  haste  that 
might  be,  with  ships  and  galleys,  with  Sir  Launcelot  and 
his  host  to  pass  into  England.  And  so  he  passed  over 
the  sea  till  he  came  to  Dover,  and  there  he  landed  with 
seven  kings,  and  the  number  was  hideous  to  behold. 
Then  Sir  Launcelot  spered  of  men  of  Dover  where  was 
King  Arthur  become.  Then  the  people  told  him  how 
that  he  was  slain,  and  Sir  Mordred  and  an  hundred  thou- 
sand died  on  a  day  ;  and  how  Sir  Mordred  gave  King 
Arthur  there  the  first  battle  at  his  landing,  and  there  was 


496  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

good  Sir  Gawaine  slam  ;  and  on  the  morn  Sir  Mordred 
fought  with  the  king  upon  Barham  Down,  and  there  the 
king  put  Sir  Mordred  to  the  worse.  Alas,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  this  is  the  heaviest  tidings  that  ever  came  to 
me.  Now,  fair  sirs,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  shew  me  the 
tomb  of  Sir  Gawaine.  And  then  certain  people  of  the 
town  brought  him  into  the  castle  of  Dover,  and  shewed 
him  the  tomb.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  kneeled  down  and 
wept,  and  prayed  heartily  for  his  soul.  And  that  night  he 
made  a  dole,  and  all  they  that  would  come  had  as  much 
flesh,  fish,  wine  and  ale,  and  every  man  and  woman  had 
twelve  pence,  come  who  would.  Thus  with  his  own  hand 
dealt  he  this  money,  in  a  mourning  gown  ;  and  ever  he 
wept,  and  prayed  them  to  pray  for  the  soul  of  Sir 
Gawaine.  And  on  the  morn  all  the  priests  and  clerks  that 
might  be  gotten  in  the  country  were  there,  and  sang  mass 
of  Requiem  ;  and  there  offered  first  Sir  Launcelot,  and  he 
offered  an  hundred  pound  ;  and  then  the  seven  kings 
offered  forty  pound  apiece  ;  and  also  there  was  a  thousand 
knights,  and  each  of  them  offered  a  pound  ;  and  the 
offering  dured  from  morn  till  night,  and  Sir  Launcelot  lay 
two  nights  on  his  tomb  in  prayers  and  weeping. 

Then  on  the  third  day  Sir  Launcelot  called  the  kings, 
dukes,  earls,  barons,  and  knights,  and  said  thus :  My  fair 
lords,  I  thank  you  all  of  your  coming  into  this  country 
with  me,  but  we  came  too  late,  and  that  shall  repent  me 
while  I  live,  but  against  death  may  no  man  rebel.  But 
sithen  it  is  so,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  will  myself  ride  and 
seek  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever,  for  as  I  hear  say  she  hath 
had  great  pain  and  much  disease  ;  and  I  heard  say  that 
she  is  fled  into  the  west.  Therefore  ye  all  shall  abide  me 
here,  and  but  if  I  come  again  within  fifteen  days,  then 
take  your  ships  and  your  fellowship,  and  depart  into  your 
country,  for  I  will  do  as  I  say  to  you. 


CH.  ix      OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  THE  QUEEN        497 


CHAPTER   IX 

How  Sir  Launcelot  departed  to  seek  the  Queen  Guenever,  and 
how  he  found  her  at  Almesbury. 

THEN  came  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  and  said  :  My  lord  Sir 
Launcelot,  what  think  ye  for  to  do,  now  to  ride  in  this 
realm  ?  wit  ye  well  ye  shall  find  few  friends.  Be  as  be 
may,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  keep  you  still  here,  for  I  will 
forth  on  my  journey,  and  no  man  nor  child  shall  go  with 
me.  So  it  was  no  boot  to  strive,  but  he  departed  and 
rode  westerly,  and  there  he  sought  a  seven  or  eight  days  ; 
and  at  the  last  he  came  to  a  nunnery,  and  then  was  Queen 
Guenever  ware  of  Sir  Launcelot  as  he  walked  in  the 
cloister.  And  when  she  saw  him  there  she  swooned 
thrice,  that  all  the  ladies  and  gentlewomen  had  work 
enough  to  hold  the  queen  up.  So  when  she  might  speak, 
she  called  ladies  and  gentlewomen  to  her,  and  said  :  Ye 
marvel,  fair  ladies,  why  I  make  this  fare.  Truly,  she 
said,  it  is  for  the  sight  of  yonder  knight  that  yonder 
standeth  ;  wherefore  I  pray  you  all  call  him  to  me. 

When  Sir  Launcelot  was  brought  to  her,  then  she  said 
to  all  the  ladies  :  Through  this  man  and  me  hath  all  this 
war  been  wrought,  and  the  death  of  the  most  noblest 
knights  of  the  world  ;  for  through  our  love  that  we  have 
loved  together  is  my  most  noble  lord  slain.  Therefore, 
Sir  Launcelot,  wit  thou  well  I  am  set  in  such  a  plight  to 
get  my  soul-heal ;  and  yet  I  trust  through  God's  grace 
that  after  my  death  to  have  a  sight  of  the  blessed  face  of 
Christ,  and  at  domesday  to  sit  on  his  right  side,  for  as 
sinful  as  ever  I  was  are  saints  in  heaven.  Therefore,  Sir 
Launcelot,  I  require  thee  and  beseech  thee  heartily,  for  all 
the  love  that  ever  was  betwixt  us,  that  thou  never  see  me 
more  in  the  visage ;  and  I  command  thee,  on  God's 
behalf,  that  thou  forsake  my  company,  and  to  thy  kingdom 
thou  turn  again,  and  keep  well  thy  realm  from  war  and 
wrack  ;  for  as  well  as  I  have  loved  thee,  mine  heart  will 
VOL.  II  2  K 


498  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

not  serve  me  to  see  thee,  for  through  thee  and  me  is 
the  flower  of  kings  and  knights  destroyed  ;  therefore,  Sir 
Launcelot,  go  to  thy  realm,  and  there  take  thee  a  wife, 
and  live  with  her  with  joy  and  bliss  ;  and  I  pray  thee 
heartily,  pray  for  me  to  our  Lord  that  I  may  amend 
my  misliving.  Now,  sweet  madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
would  ye  that  I  should  now  return  again  unto  my  country, 
and  there  to  wed  a  lady  ?  Nay,  madam,  wit  you  well  that 
shall  I  never  do,  for  I  shall  never  be  so  false  to  you  of 
that  I  have  promised  ;  but  the  same  destiny  that  ye  have 
taken  you  to,  I  will  take  me  unto,  for  to  please  Jesu,  and 
ever  for  you  I  cast  me  specially  to  pray.  If  thou  wilt  do 
so,  said  the  queen,  hold  thy  promise,  but  I  may  never 
believe  but  that  thou  wilt  turn  to  the  world  again.  Well, 
madam,  said  he,  ye  say  as  pleaseth  you,  yet  wist  you  me 
never  false  of  my  promise,  and  God  defend  but  I  should 
forsake  the  world  as  ye  have  done.  For  in  the  quest  of 
the  Sangreal  I  had  forsaken  the  vanities  of  the  world  had 
not  your  lord  been.  And  if  I  had  done  so  at  that  time, 
with  my  heart,  will,  and  thought,  I  had  passed  all  the 
knights  that  were  in  the  Sangreal  except  Sir  Galahad,  my 
son.  And  therefore,  lady,  sithen  ye  have  taken  you  to 
perfection,  I  must  needs  take  me  to  perfection,  of  right. 
For  I  take  record  of  God,  in  you  I  have  had  mine  earthly 
joy ;  and  if  I  had  found  you  now  so  disposed,  I  had  cast 
me  to  have  had  you  into  mine  own  realm. 


CHAPTER   X 

How  Sir  Launcelot  came  to  the  hermitage  where  the  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury  was,  and  how  he  took  the  habit  on 
him. 

BUT  sithen  I  find  you  thus  disposed,  I  ensure  you  faithfully, 
I  will  ever  take  me  to  penance,  and  pray  while  my  life 
lasteth,  if  I  may  find  any  hermit,  either  gray  or  white,  that 
will  receive  me.  Wherefore,  madam,  I  pray  you  kiss  me 


CH.  x      LAUNCELOT  AT  THE  HERMITAGE         499 

and  never  no  more.  Nay,  said  the  queen,  that  shall  I 
never  do,  but  abstain  you  from  such  works  :  and  they 
departed.  But  there  was  never  so  hard  an  hearted  man 
but  he  would  have  wept  to  see  the  dolour  that  they  made  ; 
for  there  was  lamentation  as  they  had  been  stung  with 
spears  ;  and  many  times  they  swooned,  and  the  ladies  bare 
the  queen  to  her  chamber. 

And  Sir  Launcelot  awoke,  and  went  and  took  his  horse, 
and  rode  all  that  day  and  all  night  in  a  forest,  weeping. 
And  at  the  last  he  was  ware  of  an  hermitage  and  a  chapel 
stood  betwixt  two  cliffs ;  and  then  he  heard  a  little  bell 
ring  to  mass,  and  thither  he  rode  and  alighted,  and  tied  his 
horse  to  the  gate,  and  heard  mass.  And  he  that  sang 
mass  was  the  Bishop  of  Canterbury.  Both  the  Bishop  and 
Sir  Bedivere  knew  Sir  Launcelot,  and  they  spake  together 
after  mass.  But  when  Sir  Bedivere  had  told  his  tale  all 
whole,  Sir  Launcelot's  heart  almost  brast  for  sorrow,  and 
Sir  Launcelot  threw  his  arms  abroad,  and  said  :  Alas,  who 
may  trust  this  world.  And  then  he  kneeled  down  on  his 
knee,  and  prayed  the  Bishop  to  shrive  him  and  assoil  him. 
And  then  he  besought  the  Bishop  that  he  might  be  his 
brother.  Then  the  Bishop  said  :  I  will  gladly  ;  and  there 
he  put  an  habit  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and  there  he  served  God 
day  and  night  with  prayers  and  fastings. 

Thus  the  great  host  abode  at  Dover.  And  then  Sir 
Lionel  took  fifteen  lords  with  him,  and  rode  to  London  to 
seek  Sir  Launcelot  ;  and  there  Sir  Lionel  was  slain  and 
many  of  his  lords.  Then  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis  made  the 
great  host  for  to  go  home  again  ;  and  Sir  Bors,  Sir  Ector 
de  Maris,  Sir  Blamore,  Sir  Bleoberis,  with  more  other  of 
Sir  Launcelot's  kin,  took  on  them  to  ride  all  England 
overthwart  and  endlong,  to  seek  Sir  Launcelot.  So  Sir 
Bors  by  fortune  rode  so  long  till  he  came  to  the  same 
chapel  where  Sir  Launcelot  was  ;  and  so  Sir  Bors  heard  a 
little  bell  knell,  that  rang  to  mass  ;  and  there  he  alighted 
and  heard  mass.  And  when  mass  was  done,  the  Bishop, 
Sir  Launcelot,  and  Sir  Bedivere,  came  to  Sir  Bors.  And 
when  Sir  Bors  saw  Sir  Launcelot  in  that  manner  clothing, 
then  he  prayed  the  Bishop  that  he  might  be  in  the  same 


500  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

suit.  And  so  there  was  an  habit  put  upon  him,  and  there 
he  lived  in  prayers  and  fasting.  And  within  half  a  year, 
there  was  come  Sir  Galihud,  Sir  Galihodin,  Sir  Blamore,  Sir 
Bleoberis,  Sir  Villiars,  Sir  Clarras,  and  Sir  Gahalantine.  So 
all  these  seven  noble  knights  there  abode  still.  And  when 
they  saw  Sir  Launcelot  had  taken  him  to  such  perfection, 
they  had  no  lust  to  depart,  but  took  such  an  habit  as  he 
had. 

Thus  they  endured  in  great  penance  six  year  ;  and  then 
Sir  Launcelot  took  the  habit  of  priesthood  of  the  Bishop, 
and  a  twelvemonth  he  sang  mass.  And  there  was  none 
of  these  other  knights  but  they  read  in  books,  and  holp 
for  to  sing  mass,  and  rang  bells,  and  did  bodily  all  manner 
of  service.  And  so  their  horses  went  where  they  would, 
for  they  took  no  regard  of  no  worldly  riches.  For  when 
they  saw  Sir  Launcelot  endure  such  penance,  in  prayers,  and 
fastings,  they  took  no  force  what  pain  they  endured,  for  to 
see  the  noblest  knight  of  the  world  take  such  abstinence 
that  he  waxed  full  lean.  And  thus  upon  a  night,  there 
came  a  vision  to  Sir  Launcelot,  and  charged  him,  in  re- 
mission of  his  sins,  to  haste  him  unto  Almesbury  :  And  by 
then  thou  come  there,  thou  shalt  find  Queen  Guenever 
dead.  And  therefore  take  thy  fellows  with  thee,  and 
purvey  them  of  an  horse  bier,  and  fetch  thou  the  corpse  of 
her,  and  bury  her  by  her  husband,  the  noble  King  Arthur. 
So  this  avision  came  to  Sir  Launcelot  thrice  in  one 
night. 


CHAPTER   XI 

How  Sir  Launcelot  went  with  his  seven  fellows  to  Almesbury^ 
and  found  there  dueen  Guenever  deady  whom  they 
brought  to  Glastonbury. 

THEN  Sir  Launcelot  rose  up  or  day,  and  told  the 
hermit.  It  were  well  done,  said  the  hermit,  that  ye  made 
you  ready,  and  that  you  disobey  not  the  avision.  Then 
Sir  Launcelot  took  his  eight  fellows  with  him,  and  on  foot 


CHAP,  xi     OF  THE  DEATH  OF  GUENEVER  501 

they  yede  from  Glastonbury  to  Almesbury,  the  which  is 
little  more  than  thirty  mile.  And  thither  they  came 
within  two  days,  for  they  were  weak  and  feeble  to  go. 
And  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  come  to  Almesbury  within 
the  nunnery,  Queen  Guenever  died  but  half  an  hour  afore. 
And  the  ladies  told  Sir  Launcelot  that  Queen  Guenever 
told  them  all  or  she  passed,  that  Sir  Launcelot  had  been 
priest  near  a  twelvemonth,  And  hither  he  cometh  as  fast 
as  he  may  to  fetch  my  corpse  ;  and  beside  my  lord,  King 
Arthur,  he  shall  bury  me.  Wherefore  the  queen  said  in 
hearing  of  them  all :  I  beseech  Almighty  God  that  I  may 
never  have  power  to  see  Sir  Launcelot  with  my  worldly 
eyen  ;  and  thus,  said  all  the  ladies,  was  ever  her  prayer 
these  two  days,  till  she  was  dead.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  her  visage,  but  he  wept  not  greatly,  but  sighed.  And 
so  he  did  all  the  observance  of  the  service  himself,  both 
the  dirige,  and  on  the  morn  he  sang  mass.  And  there 
was  ordained  an  horse  bier ;  and  so  with  an  hundred 
torches  ever  brenning  about  the  corpse  of  the  queen,  and 
ever  Sir  Launcelot  with  his  eight  fellows  went  about  the 
horse  bier,  singing  and  reading  many  an  holy  orison,  and 
frankincense  upon  the  corpse  incensed.  Thus  Sir  Launce- 
lot and  his  eight  fellows  went  on  foot  from  Almesbury 
unto  Glastonbury. 

And  when  they  were  come  to  the  chapel  and  the 
hermitage,  there  she  had  a  dirige,  with  great  devotion. 
And  on  the  morn  the  hermit  that  sometime  was  Bishop  of 
Canterbury  sang  the  mass  of  Requiem  with  great  devotion. 
And  Sir  Launcelot  was  the  first  that  offered,  and  then  also 
his  eight  fellows.  And  then  she  was  wrapped  in  cered 
cloth  of  Raines,  from  the  top  to  the  toe,  in  thirtyfold  ; 
and  after  she  was  put  in  a  web  of  lead,  and  then  in  a  cofEn 
of  marble.  And  when  she  was  put  in  the  earth  Sir  Launce- 
lot swooned,  and  lay  long  still,  while  the  hermit  came 
and  awaked  him,  and  said  :  Ye  be  to  blame,  for  yc 
displease  God  with  such  manner  of  sorrow-making.  Truly, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  trust  I  do  not  displease  God,  for  He 
knoweth  mine  intent.  For  my  sorrow  was  not,  nor  is  not, 
for  any  rejoicing  of  sin,  but  my  sorrow  may  never  have 


502  MORTE  D ARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

end.  For  when  I  remember  of  her  beauty,  and  of  her 
noblesse,  that  was  both  with  her  king  and  with  her,  so 
when  I  saw  his  corpse  and  her  corpse  so  lie  together,  truly 
mine  heart  would  not  serve  to  sustain  my  careful  body. 
Also  when  I  remember  me  how  by  my  default,  mine  orgule 
and  my  pride,  that  they  were  both  laid  full  low,  that  were 
peerless  that  ever  was  living  of  Christian  people,  wit  you 
well,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  this  remembered,  of  their  kindness 
arid  mine  unkindness,  sank  so  to  mine  heart,  that  I 
might  not  sustain  myself.  So  the  French  book  maketh 
mention. 


CHAPTER   XII 

How  Sir  Launcelot  began  to  sicken,  and  after  died,  whose 
body  was  borne  to  Joyous  Card  for  to  be  buried. 

THEN  Sir  Launcelot  never  after  ate  but  little  meat,  ne 
drank,  till  he  was  dead.  For  then  he  sickened  more  and 
more,  and  dried,  and  dwined  away.  For  the  Bishop  nor 
none  of  his  fellows  might  not  make  him  to  eat,  and  little 
he  drank,  that  he  was  waxen  by  a  cubit  shorter  than  he 
was,  that  the  people  could  not  know  him.  For  evermore, 
day  and  night,  he  prayed,  but  sometime  he  slumbered  a 
broken  sleep  ;  ever  he  was  lying  grovelling  on  the  tomb 
of  King  Arthur  and  Queen  Guenever.  And  there  was  no 
comfort  that  the  Bishop,  nor  Sir  Bors,  nor  none  of  his 
fellows,  could  make  him,  it  availed  not.  So  within  six 
weeks  after,  Sir  Launcelot  fell  sick,  and  lay  in  his  bed  ;  and 
then  he  sent  for  the  Bishop  that  there  was  hermit,  and  all 
his  true  fellows.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  said  with  dreary 
Steven  :  Sir  Bishop,  I  pray  you  give  to  me  all  my  rites  that 
longeth  to  a  Christian  man.  It  shall  not  need  you,  said 
the  hermit  and  all  his  fellows,  it  is  but  heaviness  of  your 
blood,  ye  shall  be  well  mended  by  the  grace  of  God 
to-morn.  My  fair  lords,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  wit  you  well 
my  careful  body  will  into  the  earth,  I  have  warning  more 
than  now  I  will  say ;  therefore  give  me  my  rites.  So 


CH.  xii      OF  THE  DEATH  OF  LAUNCELOT          503 

when  he  was  houseled  and  anealed,  and  had  all  that  a 
Christian  man  ought  to  have,  he  prayed  the  Bishop  that  his 
fellows  might  bear  his  body  to  Joyous  Card.  Some  men 
say  it  was  Alnwick,  and  some  men  say  it  was  Bamborough. 
Howbeit,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  me  repenteth  sore,  but  I  made 
mine  avow  sometime,  that  in  Joyous  Card  I  would  be 
buried.  And  because  of  breaking  of  mine  avow,  I  pray 
you  all,  lead  me  thither.  Then  there  was  weeping  and 
wringing  of  hands  among  his  fellows. 

So  at  a  season  of  the  night  they  all  went  to  their  beds, 
for  they  all  lay  in  one  chamber.  And  so  after  midnight, 
against  day,  the  Bishop  [that]  then  was  hermit,  as  he  lay  in 
his  bed  asleep,  he  fell  upon  a  great  laughter.  And  there- 
with all  the  fellowship  awoke,  and  came  to  the  Bishop,  and 
asked  him  what  he  ailed.  Ah  Jesu  mercy,  said  the  Bishop, 
why  did  ye  awake  me  ?  I  was  never  in  all  my  life  so  merry 
and  so  well  at  ease.  Wherefore  ?  said  Sir  Bors.  Truly, 
said  the  Bishop,  here  was  Sir  Launcelot  with  me  with  mo 
angels  than  ever  I  saw  men  in  one  day.  And  I  saw  the 
angels  heave  up  Sir  Launcelot  unto  heaven,  and  the  gates 
of  heaven  opened  against  him.  It  is  but  dretching  of 
swevens,  said  Sir  Bors,  for  I  doubt  not  Sir  Launcelot  aileth 
nothing  but  good.  It  may  well  be,  said  the  Bishop  ;  go 
ye  to  his  bed,  and  then  shall  ye  prove  the  sooth.  So  when 
Sir  Bors  and  his  fellows  came  to  his  bed  they  found  him 
stark  dead,  and  he  lay  as  he  had  smiled,  and  the  sweetest 
savour  about  him  that  ever  they  felt. 

Then  was  there  weeping  and  wringing  of  hands,  and 
the  greatest  dole  they  made  that  ever  made  men.  And 
on  the  morn  the  Bishop  did  his  mass  of  Requiem ; 
and  after,  the  Bishop  and  all  the  nine  knights  put  Sir 
Launcelot  in  the  same  horse  bier  that  Queen  Guenever 
was  laid  in  to-fore  that  she  was  buried.  And  so  the  Bishop 
and  they  all  together  went  with  the  body  of  Sir  Launcelot 
daily,  till  they  came  to  Joyous  Card  ;  and  ever  they  had 
an  hundred  torches  brenning  about  him.  And  so  within 
fifteen  days  they  came  to  Joyous  Card.  And  there  they 
laid  his  corpse  in  the  body  of  the  quire,  and  sang  and 
read  many  psalters  and  prayers  over  him  and  about  him. 


504  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

And  ever  his  visage  was  laid  open  and  naked,  that  all 
folks  might  behold  him.  For  such  was  the  custom  in 
those  days,  that  all  men  of  worship  should  so  lie  with 
open  visage  till  that  they  were  buried.  And  right  thus 
as  they  were  at  their  service,  there  came  Sir  Ector  de 
Maris,  that  had  seven  years  sought  all  England,  Scotland, 
and  Wales,  seeking  his  brother,  Sir  Launcelot. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

How  Sir  Ector  found  Sir  Launcelot  his  brother  deady  and 
how  Constantine  reigned  next  after  Arthur ;  and  of  the 
end  of  this  book. 

AND  when  Sir  Ector  heard  such  noise  and  light  in  the 
quire  of  Joyous  Card,  he  alighted  and  put  his  horse  from 
him,  and  came  into  the  quire,  and  there  he  saw  men  sing 
and  weep.  And  all  they  knew  Sir  Ector,  but  he  knew 
not  them.  Then  went  Sir  Bors  unto  Sir  Ector,  and  told 
him  how  there  lay  his  brother,  Sir  Launcelot,  dead  ;  and 
then  Sir  Ector  threw  his  shield,  sword,  and  helm  from 
him.  And  when  he  beheld  Sir  Launcelot's  visage,  he  fell 
down  in  a  swoon.  And  when  he  waked  it  were  hard  any 
tongue  to  tell  the  doleful  complaints  that  he  made  for  his 
brother.  Ah  Launcelot,  he  said,  thou  were  head  of  all 
Christian  knights,  and  now  I  dare  say,  said  Sir  Ector, 
thou  Sir  Launcelot,  there  thou  liest,  that  thou  were  never 
matched  of  earthly  knight's  hand.  And  thou  were  the 
courteoust  knight  that  ever  bare  shield.  And  thou  were 
the  truest  friend  to  thy  lover  that  ever  bestrad  horse. 
And  thou  were  the  truest  lover  of  a  sinful  man  that  ever 
loved  woman.  And  thou  were  the  kindest  man  that  ever 
struck  with  sword.  And  thou  were  the  goodliest  person 
that  ever  came  among  press  of  knights.  And  thou  was 
the  meekest  man  and  the  gentlest  that  ever  ate  in  hall 
among  ladies.  And  thou  were  the  sternest  knight  to  thy 


<J 


h 


CHAP,  xin   CONSTANTINE  CHOSEN  KING  505 

mortal  foe  that  ever  put  spear  in  the  rest.     Then  there 
was  weeping  and  dolour  out  of  measure. 

Thus  they  kept  Sir  Launcelot's  corpse  aloft  fifteen 
days,  and  then  they  buried  it  with  great  devotion.  And 
then  at  leisure  they  went  all  with  the  Bishop  of  Canterbury 
to  his  hermitage,  and  there  they  were  together  more  than 
a  month.  Then  Sir  Constantine,  that  was  Sir  Cador's 
son  of  Cornwall,  was  chosen  king  of  England.  And  he 
was  a  full  noble  knight,  and  worshipfully  he  ruled  this 
realm.  And  then  this  King  Constantine  sent  for  the 
Bishop  of  Canterbury,  for  he  heard  say  where  he  was. 
And  so  he  was  restored  unto  his  Bishopric,  and  left  that 
hermitage.  And  Sir  Bedivere  was  there  ever  still  hermit 
to  his  life's  end.  Then  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  Sir  Ector  de 
Maris,  Sir  Gahalantine,  Sir  Galihud,  Sir  Galihodin,  Sir 
Blamore,  Sir  Bleoberis,  Sir  Villiars  le  Valiant,  Sir  Clarrus 
of  Clermont,  all  these  knights  drew  them  to  their 
countries.  Howbeit  King  Constantine  would  have  had 
them  with  him,  but  they  would  not  abide  in  this  realm. 
And  there  they  all  lived  in  their  countries  as  holy  men. 
And  some  English  books  make  mention  that  they  went 
never  out  of  England  after  the  death  of  Sir  Launcelot, 
but  that  was  but  favour  of  makers.  For  the  French  book 
maketh  mention,  and  is  authorised,  that  Sir  Bors,  Sir 
Ector,  Sir  Blamore,  and  Sir  Bleoberis,  went  into  the  Holy 
Land  thereas  Jesu  Christ  was  quick  and  dead,  and  anon  as 
they  had  stablished  their  lands.  For  the  book  saith,  so 
Sir  Launcelot  commanded  them  for  to  do,  or  ever  he  passed 
out  of  this  world.  And  these  four  knights  did  many 
battles  upon  the  miscreants  or  Turks.  And  there  they 
died  upon  a  Good  Friday  for  God's  sake. 


is  tfje  entr  of  tfje  fcooft  of  tting  &rtfjttr,  ano  of  fjis 
noble  fcnigfjts  of  tfje  &ountr  &a&le,  tfjat  fofjen  tfjeg 
foere  fofjole  together  tfjere  foas  eber  an  fjunorefc  antr 
forts.  &nfc  fjere  is  tfje  eno  of  tfje  oeatfj  of  &rtfjtir. 
I  prag  5011  all,  gentlemen  antr  gentlewomen  tfjat 


506  MORTE  DARTHUR  BOOK  xxi 

reatietfj  tfjis  foooft  of  ^rtjjur  anti  fjts  ftntgtts,  frotn 
tfje  foejjinnina;  to  tfje  ending,  prag  for  me  fofjile  I 
am  altbe,  tfjat  0otJ  senti  me  gooti  tieltferance,  ant 
fofjen  I  am  tieati,  I  prag  gou  all  prag  for  mg  souL 
JFor  tjts  iooft  toajsi  entieti  tje  nmtjj  gear  of  tje 
reign  of  ittns  CHtibjarti  tjje  jFourtjj,  fog  Sir  Efjomas 
JHaleore,  ftnio^jt,  as  3fesu  jjelp  fjim  for  fjis  great 
mifiljt,  as  i)^  ^  tfje  servant  of  3esu  footfj  oag  anti 
nigjjt. 

Efjus  entietfj  tfjis  nofole  anti  jogous  fooofc  entttleti  iLe  JHorte 
IBartjjur*  ^otfoitftstantiina;  it  treatetf)  of  tije  fcirtfj, 
life,  anti  acts  of  tfje  saiti  l^tng  Srtjiur,  of  tts  no&le 
fenigtjts  of  t|je  &ounti  Eafole,  tfjeir  marbellotts  en; 
quests  ano  atibentures,  t!je  acbiebing  of  tjje  Sangreal, 
anti  in  tjje  enti  tlje  tiolorous  Ueatfj  anti  departing  out 
of  t!)is  foorlti  of  tfjem  all*  SEfjieji  fcooft  Ixias  retiuceti 
into  ^nglisl)  fog  Sir  Efoomas  JHalorg,  fentgljt,  as 
afore  is  saitj,  anti  fog  me  titfritieti  into  ttoentg-one 
fooofcs,  cljaptereti  anti  enprmteti,  anti  fmtsfyeti  in  ttje 
afofoeg,  3Hestminster,  tfje  last  tiag  of  3ulg  tfje  gear  of 
our  ilorti 


Caxton  me  fieri  fecit* 


GLOSSARY 


Abashed,  abased,  lowered,  934 

Abate,  depress,  calm,  7  15,  22,  18  19 

Abought,  paid  for,  7  17 

Abraid,  started,  9  32 

Accompted,  counted,  13  2 

Accorded,  agreed,  1  2 

Accordment,  agreement,  20  II 

Acquit,  repay,  4  26 

Actually,  actively,  4  2O 

Adoubted,  afraid,  104 

Advi»ion,  vision,  14  7 

Afeard,  afraid,  1  23 

Afterdeal,  disadvantage,  5  8 

Againsay,  retract,  187 

Aknown,  known,  8  14 

Aligement,  alleviation,  16  1 6 

Allegeance,  alleviation,  18  19 

Allow,  approve,  7  5 

Almeries,  chests,  1723 

Alther,  gen.  />/.,  of  all,  4  1 1,  20  6 

Amounted,  mounted,  10  3 

Anealed,  anointed,  21  12 

Anguishly,  in  pain,  16  15 

Anon,  at  once,  5  9 

Apair,  weaken,  3  3 

Apparelled,  fitted  up,  4  6 

Appeach,  impeach,  10  7 

Appealed,  challenged,  accused,  18  4 

Appertices,  displays,  5  8 

Araged,  enraged,  62,  9  34  j  confused,  18  3 

Araised,  raised,  21  i 

Arase,  obliterate,  18  25 

Areared,  reared,  10  64 

Armyvestal,  martial,  4  15 

Array,  plight,  state  of  affairs,  19  7 

Arrayed,  situated,  17  3 

Arson,  saddle-bow,  6  7,  18  23 

Askance,  casually,  8  14 

Assoiled,  absolved,  13  20 

Assorted,  infatuated,  4  I 

Assummon,  summon,  7  26 

Astonied,  amazed,  stunned,  10  57 

At,  of,  by,  731,198 

At-after,  after,  7  21,  12  4 

Attaint,  overcome,  16  8 


Aumbries,  chests,  17  23 

Avail  (at),  at  an  advantage,  20  IJ 

Avaled,  lowered,  5  12 

Avaunt,  boast,  5  9 

Aventred,  couched,  2  18,  4  18 

Avised,  be  advised,  take  thought,  9  10 

Avision,  vision,  21  n 

Avoid,  quit,  931 

Avoided,  got  clear  off,  7  17 

Avow,  vow,  10  63 

Await  of  (in),  in  watch  for,  9  it 

A  wayward,  away,  7  19 

Awke,  sideways,  5  10 

Bachelors,    probationers    for    knighthood 

liS 

Bain,  bath,  18  u,  17 
Barbican,  gate-tower,  5  5,  7  31 
Barget,  little  ship,  8  38 
Battle,  division  of  an  army,  115 
Bawdy,  dirty,  7  5 
Beams,  trumpets,  21  4 
Be-closed,  enclosed,  12  6 
Become,  pp.,  befallen,  gone  to,  13  1 8 
Bedashed,  splashed,  19  2 
Behests,  promises,  9  16 
Behight,  promised,  17  23 
Beholden   (beholding)  to,  obliged  to,  721, 

13  19 

Behote,  promised,  8  8 
Benome,  deprived,  taken  away,  14  8,  16  8 
Besants,  gold  coins,  4  25 
Beseek,  beseech,  164 
Beseen,  appointed,  arrayed,  1  1 8,  11  6 
Beskift,  shove  off,  4  I 
Bested,  beset,  21  2 
Betaken,  entrusted,  1  6 
Betaught,  entrusted,  recommended,  6  7 
Betid,  happened,  7  15 

Betook,  committed,  entrusted,  123,  10  69 
Bevered,  quivered,  1  15 
Board,  si.,  deck,  147 
Bobaunce,    boasting,    pride,    1063,    156, 

1815 
Boishe,  bush,  branch  of  a  tree,  6  16 


508 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Boistous,  rough,  2  8,  14  6 

Bole,  trunk  of  a  tree,  6  1 6 

Boot,  remedy,  9  17 

Borrow  out,  redeem,  10  30 

Borrows,  pledges,  7  18 

Bote,  remedy,  8  i,  6 

Bound,  ready,  1  2 

Boarded,  jested,  9  43 

Bourder,  jester,  10  25 

Braced,  embraced,  1678 

Brachet,  little  hound,  3  6 

Braide,  quick  movement,  20  21 

Brast,  burst,  break,  1  14,  18  2 

Breaths,  breathing  holes,  8  7 

Brief,  shorten,  9  12 

Brim,  fierce,  furious,  20  13 

Brised,  broke,  9  4,  10  i 

Broached,  pierced,  1  16 

Broaches,  spits,  5  5 

Bur,  hand-guard  of  a  spear,  21  4 

Burble,  bubble,  18  22 

Burbling,  bubbling,  10  2 

Burgenetts,  buds,  blossoms,  20  I 

Bushment,  ambush,  5  5 

By  and  by,  immediately,  18  4 

Bywaryed,  expended,  bestowed,  7  21 

Canel  bone,  collar  bone,  4  27 

Cankered,  inveterate,  21  2 

Cantel,  slice,  strip,  1  16 

Careful,  sorrowful,  full  of  troubles,  65, 
21  ii 

Cast  (of  bread),  loaves  baked  at  the  same 
time,  7  14 

Cast,  ref.  v.,  propose,  13  20 

Cedle,  schedule,  note,  21  2 

Cere,  wax  over,  embalm,  58;  cered,  21  1 1 

Certes,  certainly,  14  7 

Chafe,  heat,  decompose,  4  8  ;  chafed,  heated, 
149 

Chaflet,  platform,  scaffold,  21  3 

Champaign,  open  country,  1  14 

Chariot  (Fr.  charette),  cart,  19  4 

Cheer,  countenance,  7  15,  13  20;  enter- 
tainment, 3  8 

Chierte,  dearness,  138 

Chrism,  anointing  oil,  9  39 

Clatter,  talk  confusedly,  118 

Cleight,  clutched,  6  2 

Cleped,  called,  9  6 

Clipping,  embracing,  4  22,  8  36 

Cog,  small  boat,  5  3 

Cognisance,  badge,  mark  of  distinction,  10  3 

Coif,  head-piece,  8  7 

Comfort,  strengthen,  help,  167 

Cominal,  common,  425 

Complished,  complete,  7  I 

Con,  know,  be  able,  5  16  ;  con  thank,  be 
grateful,  20  13 

Conserve,  preserve,  17  14 


Conversant,  abiding  in,  17  3 
Cording,  agreement,  In 
Coronal,  circlet,  5  5 
Cost,  side,  7  12 
Costed,  kept  up  with,  18  21 
Couched,  lay,  146 
Courage,  encourage,  19  10 
Courtelage,  courtyard,  4  24 
Covert,  sheltered,  20  22 
Covetise,  covetousness,  13  14 
Covin,  deceit,  13  15 
Cream,  oil,  9  39 
Credence,  faith,  5  2 
Croup,  crupper,  8  16 
Curteist,  most  courteous,  6  1C 

Daffish,  foolish,  9  42 

Danger  (in),  under  obligation  to,  in  the 

power  of,  7  8,  19  4 
Dawed,    v.    tr.,    revived,    11  10  j    intr^ 

dawned,  17  z 

Deadly,  mortal,  human,  17,  9,  2O 
Deal,  part,  portion,  16  n 
Debate,  quarrel,  strife,  3  6 
Debonair,  courteous,  174 
Deceivable,  deceitful,  10  6 1 
Defaded,  faded,  10  86 
Default,  fault,  3  8 
Defend,   forbid,   123;   defended,   forbade, 

7  I  ;  forbidden,  18  2 
Defoiled,  trodden  down,  fouled,  deflowered, 

1  14,  7  12,  9  32 

Degree  (win  the),  rank,  superiority,  89 
Delibered,  determined,  5  2 
Deliverly,  adroitly,  20  22 
Departed,  divided,  9  7 
Departition,  departure,  9  36 
Dere,  harm,  1  17,  18  12 
Descrive,  describe,  10  i 
Despoiled,  stripped,  152 
Detremched,  cut  to  pieces,  5  7 
Devised,  looked  carefully  at,  17  13 
Devoir,  duty,  service,  7  23,  20  1 8 
Did  off,  doffed,  13  17 
Dight,  prepared,  4  6 
Dindled,  trembled,  5  8 
Disadventure,  misfortune,  13  20 
Discover,  reveal,  1 3  20 
Disherited,  disinherited,  13  10,  148 
Disparpled,  scattered,  20  I 
Dispenses,  expenses,  5  2 
Disperplyd,  scattered,  5  2,  8 
Dispoiled,  stripped,  7  2 
Distained,  sullied,  dishonoured,  184 
Disworship,  shame,  9  3 
Dole,  gift  of  alms,  21  3 
Dole,  sorrow,  1  15,  11  14 
Domineth,  dominates,  rules,  5  I 
Don,  gift,  7  2 
Doted,  foolish,  10  5  J 


GLOSSARY 


509 


Doubted,  redoubtable,  167 

Draughts,  privities,  secret  interviews,  re- 
cesses, 18  i,  19  6 

Drenched,  drowned,  14  8 

Dress,  make  ready,  1  16 

Dressed  up,  raised,  13  18 

Dretched,  troubled  in  sleep,  20  5 

Dretching,  being  troubled  in  sleep,  21  12 

Dromounds,  war  vessels,  5  3 

Dure,  endure,  last,  4  I  ;  dured,  8  29  ; 
during,  10  71 

Duresse,  bondage,  hardship,  13  12,  14  7 

Dwined,  dwindled,  21  12 

Eased,  entertained,  17  II 
Eft,  after,  again,  813 
Eftures,  passages,  19  7 
Embattled,  ranged  for  battle,  6  8 
Embushed,  concealed  in  the  woods,  1  19, 

46 

Erne,  uncle,  8  5 
Empoison,  poison,  18  3 
Emprised,  undertook,  9  Z 
En  braid,  20  12 
Enchafe,    heat,    18  15  ;    enc/iafcd,    heated, 

149,  185 

Enchieve,  achieve,  92,  13  2 
Endlong,  alongside  of,  6  7 
Enewed,  painted,  3  9 
Enforce,  constrain,  1074,  18  18 
Engine,  device,  10  17 
Enow,  enough,  1  23 
Enquest,  enterprise,  9  Z 
Ensured,  assured,  7  17 
Entermete,  intermeddle,  10  26 
Errant,  wandering,  4  12 
Estates,  ranks,  10  6 1 
Even  hand,  at  an  equality,  9z 
Evenlong,  along,  10  6 1 
Everych,  each,  every  one,  163 

Faiter,  vagabond,  2  10 

Fare,  si>.,  ado,  commotion,  21  9 

Faren,  pp.,  treated,  7  15 

Faute,  v.,  lack,  3  I  ;  fauted,  lacked,  9  32 

Fealty,  oath  of  fidelity,  7  17 

Fear,  frighten,  7  16 

Feute,  trace,  track,  6  14,  1821 

Ftuter,  set  in  rest,  couch,  6  2 

Feutred,  set  in  socket,  20  13 

Fiaunce,  affiance,  promise,  1  3 

Flang,  flung,  67,  1041  j  rushed,  96 

Flatting,  prostrate,  187 

Fleet,  float,  132 

Flemed,  put  to  flight,  20  17 

Flittered,  fluttered,  5  4 

Foiled,  defeated,  shamed,  18  25 

Foined,  thrust,  20  22 

Foining,  thrusting,  7  4 

Foini,  thrusts,  9  8 


Foot-hot,  hastily,  9  28,  33 

For-bled,  spent  with  bleeding,  9  8,  20  7 

Force  (no),  no  concern,  3  7,  21  IO 

Fordeal,  advantage,  5  8 

Fordo,  destroy,  8  26  ;  fordid,  2  19 

Forecast,  preconcerted  plot,  20  5 

For-fared,  worsted,  6  6 

Forfend,  forbid,  18  z 

Forfoughten,  weary  with  fighting,  2  10 

Forhewn,  hewn  to  pieces,  7  12,  17 

Forjousted,    tired    with     jousting,    8  39, 

1058 

Forthinketh,  repents,  2  3 
Fortuned,  happened,  7  I 
Forward,  vanguard,  20  13 
Forwounded,  sorely  wounded,  9  8 
Free,  noble,  10  6 1 
Freshed, 
Froward,  away  from,  3  14,  10  4 

Gad,  wedge  or  spike  of  iron,  15  Z 

Gainest,  readiest,  7  zo 

Gar,  cause,  20  1 6 

Gart,  compelled,  3  10,  8  15 

Gentily,  like  a  gentleman,  9  5 

Gerfalcon,  a  fine  hawk,  4  26 

Germane,  closely  allied,  2  1 1,  142 

Gest,  deed,  ttory,  6  13 

Gisarm,  halberd,  battle-axe,  4  25,  7  22 

Glaive,  sword,  20  6 

Glasting,  barking,  10  53 

Glatisant,  barking,  yelping,  10  13 

Gobbets,  lumps,  7  23 

Graithed,  made  ready,  5  7 

Gree,  degree,  superiority,  610,67 

Greed,  pp.,  pleased,  content,  16  15 

Greses,  steps,  17  1 8 

Grimly,  ugly,  6  8,  19  2 

Grovelling,  on  his  face,  8  26 

Guerdonless,  without  reward,  10  86 

Guise,  fashion,  1  10 

Habergeon,  hauberk  with  legging*  attached 

16  10 

Hair,  a  hair-shirt,  152 
Hale  and  how,  a  sailor's  cry,  7  15 
Halp,  helped,  10  64 
Halsed,  embraced,  8  14 
Halsing,  embracing,  2  16 
Handfast,  betrothed,  10  37 
Handsel,  earnest-money,  8  16 
Hangers,  testicles,  10  38 
Harbingers,    messengers    sent    to   prepare 

lodgings,  7  27 
Harness,  armour,  9  1 1 
Hart  of  greese,  fat  deer,  10  86 
Hauberk,  coat  of  mail,  1  1 6 
Haut,  high,  noble,  2  19,  8  27 
Hauteyn,  haughty,  4  10 
Heavy,  sad,  14  4,  6 


5io 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Hete,  command,  119 

Hide,  «kin,  11  14 

Hied,  hurried,  17  19 

High  (on),  aloud,  6  II 

Higher  hand,  the  uppermost,  16  14 

Hight,  called,  1  18 

Hilled,  covered,  concealed,  10  59,  17  22 

Holden,  held,  1  8 

Holp,  helped,  6  12 

Holts,  woods,  5  9 

Hough-bone,  back  part  of  knee-joint,  12  3 

Houselled,   to    be    given    the    Eucharist, 

21  12 
Hoved,  hovered,  waited  about,  2  19,  4  20, 

18  10 
Hurled,    dashed,   staggered,   826,   94,  6, 

10  41  ;  hurling,  7  10,  9  6 
Hurtle,  dash,  7  12 

Incontinent,  forthwith,  5  2 

Ind,  dark  blue,  1  15 

Infellowship,  join  in  fellowship,  8  27 

In  like,  alike,  12  14 

Intermit,  interpose,  16  15 

Saper,  jester,  10  44 
apes,  jests,  3  1 1 
esseraunt,  a  short  cuirass,  1 9 

Keep,  si.,  care,  7  20 
Keep,  v.,  care,  reck,  9  14 
Kemps,  champions,  7  8 
Kind,  nature,  118 
Kindly,  natural,  11  8 
Knights  parters,  marshals,  199 
Know,  acknowledge,  5  12 
Knowledging,    acknowledgment,    confes- 
sion, 19  i 

Lain,  conceal,  20  i 
Langering,  sauntering,  9  2O 
Lapped,  took  in  her  lap,  8  I 
Large,  generous,  10  6 1 
Largeness,  liberality,  4  12 
Laton,  latten,  brass,  2  n 
Laund,  waste  plain,  4  19 
Layne,  conceal,  18  13 
Lazar-cot,  leper-house,  8  35 
Ltarn,  teach,  6  10 
Lears,  cheeks,  9  20 
Leaved,  leafy,  18  10 
Lecher,  fornicator,  18  a 
Lttch,  physician,  125 
Leman,  lover,  6  5 
Let,  caused  to,  10  6 1 
Let,  hinder,  5  7 
Lewdest,  most  ignorant,  1  26 
Licours,  lecherous,  1825 
Lief,  dear,  21  5 
Liefer,  more  gladly,  9  4 


Lieve,  believe,  20  i 

Limb-meal,  limb  from  limb,  8  37 

List,  desire,  pleasure,  9  24,  10  39 

Lithe,  joint,  813 

Longing  unto,  belonging  to,  1  16 

Long  on  (upon),  because  of,  15  2,  20  I 

Loos,  praise,  5  10,  16  1 1 

Lotless,  without  a  share,  10  4 

Loveday,  day  for  settling  disputes,  10  15 

Loving,  praising,  11  i,  19  12 

Lunes,  leashes,  strings,  6  16 

Lusk,  lubber,  7  5 

Lusts,  inclinations,  8  36 

Maims,  wounds,  115 

Makeless,  matchless,  6  1 1,  10  73 

Makers,  authors,  poets,  21  13 

Mai-ease,  discomfort,  841 

Mai  engine,  evil  dcsigt,  18  5,  18,  204 

Mai-fortune,  ill-luck,  mishap,  9  12 

Marches,  borders,  1  1 8,  9  13 

Mass-penny,  offering  at  mass  for  the  dead, 

1820 

Matchecold,  machicolated,  with  holes  for 

defence,  7  10 

Maugre,  tb.,  despite,  1  23,  206,  n 
Measle,  disease,  17  n 
Medled,  mingled,  10  59 
Medley,  melee,  geaeral  encounter,  1  15 
Meiny,  retinue,  5  5 
Mickle,  much,  10  63 
Minever,  ermine,  12  i 
Mischieved,  hurt,  9  1 1 
Mischievous,  painful,  206 
Miscomfort,  discomfort,  10  29 
Miscreature,  unbeliever,  17  2 
Missay,  revile,  9  3  ;  m'maid,  9  2 
Mo,  more,  8  34,  10  58 
More  and  less,  rich  and  poor,  7  27 
Motes,  notes  on  a  horn,  7  8 
Mountenance,  amount  of,  extent,  7  4 
Much,  great,  20  4 

Naked,  unarmed,  12  12 

Namely,  especially,  13  20 

Ne,  nor,  5  8 

Near-hand,  nearly,  67,  8  14;  near,  19  I 

Needly,  needs,  on  your  own  compulsion, 

10  67 

Nesh,  soft,  tender,  13  20 
Nigh -hand,  nearly,  935 
Nill,  will  not,  1055 
Nilt,  will  not,  13  20 
Nis,  ne  is,  is  not,  6  16 
Nist,  ne  wist,  knew  not,  16  14 
Noblesse,  nobleness,  11  9 
Nobley,  nobility,  splendour,  10  6 
Noised,  reported,  10  46 
Nold,  would  not,  13  10 
Noseling,  on  his  nose,  17  4 


GLOSSARY 


Not  for  then,  nevertheless,  10  30, 
Notoyrly,  notoriously,  Pref, 
Noyous,  hurtful,  17  8 

Obeissance,  obedience,  1  S 
Or,  before,  9  17 
Orgule,  haughtiness,  21  n 
Orgulist,  haughtiest,  21  I 
Orgulite,  pride,  arrogance,  10  I 
Orgulous,  proud,  24 
Other,  or,  123 
Ouches,  jewels,  20  14 
Ought,  owned,  6  5,  9  2 
Outcept,  except,  10  72 
Outher,  or,  9  17,  10  70 
Out-taken,  except,  10  73 
Over-evening,  last  night,  9  JI 
Overget,  overtake,  12  3 
Overhylled,  covered,  10  9 
Over-led,  domineered  over,  20  1 1 
Overlong,  the  length  of,  10  60 
Overslip,  i>.,  pass,  8  14 
Overthwart,  adj.,  cross,  9  15 
Overthwart,  tb.,  mischance,  7  17 
Overthwart   and  endlong,  by  the  breadth 
and  length,  18  17 

Painture,  painting,  6  6 

Paitrelles,  breastplate  of  a  horse,  7  16 

Paltocks,  short  coats,  5  10 

Parage,  descent,  7  5 

Pareil,  like,  6  2 

Passing,  surpassingly,  13  I 

Paynim,  pagan,  938 

Pensel,  pennon,  10  47 

Perclos,  partition,  14  3 

Perdy,  par  Dien,  7  19 

Perigot,  falcon,  6  16 

Perish,  destroy,  17  2 

Peron,  tombstone,  10  2 

Pight,  pitched,  1  i,  5  5,  9  iO 

Pike,  steal  away,  20  17 

Piked,  stole,  9  44 

Fillers,  plunderers,  21  4 

Pilling,  plundering,  13  15 

Pleasaunce,  pleasure,  836 

Plenour,  complete,  7  i 

Plump,  ti>.,  cluster,  1  16 

Point lin:,  aiming,  11  4 

Pont,  bridge,  11  I 

Port,  gate,  7  19 

Posseded,  possessed,  8  12 

Potestatc,  governor,  5  8 

Precessours,  predecessors,  5  1 

Press,  throng,  1  17 

Pretendeth,  belongs  to,  1  1 8 

Pricker,  hard  rider,  5  10 

Pricking,  spurring,  14  5 

Prime,  6.0  A.M.,  6  4,  13  19 

Prise,  capture,  4  6 


Puissance,  power,  1  26 
Purfle,  trimming,  1  26 
Purfled,  embroidered,  1  26 
Purvey,  provide,  4  i,  18  3 

Quarrels,  arrowheads,  11  5 
guesting,  barking,  1  19 
Quick,  alive,  121 

Quit,    repaid,    428;    acquitted,    behaved, 
5n 

Raced  (rased),  tore,  1  23,  1041,  18  23 

Rack  (of  bulls),  herd,  16  i,  3 

Raines,  a  town  in  Brittany  famous  for  ill 

cloth,  21  1 1 
Ramping,  raging,  9  i 
Range,  rank,  station,  1041 
Ransacked,  searched,  13  13 
Rashed,  fell  headlong,  9  6 
Rashing,  rushing,  6  8 
Rasing,  rushing,  6  8,  74 
Rasure,  1825 

Raundon,  impetuosity,  1  10,  3  9 
Rear,  raise,  4  2 
Rechate,  note  of  recall,  1052 
Recomforted,  comforted,  cheered,  733 
Recounter,  rencontre,  encounter,  4  24,  10  J 
Recover,  rescue,  20  14 
Rede,  advise,  1  23  ;  tb.,  counsel,  21  4 
Redounded,  glanced  back,  1 1 6 
Religion,  religious  order,  15  i 
Reneye,  deny,  837 
Report,  refer,  184 
Resemblaunt,  semblance,  14  6 
Retrayed,  drew  back,  7  12 
Rightwise,  rightly,  1  5 
Rivage,  shore,  7  21 
Romed,  roared,  5  4 
Roted,  practised,  10  36 
Rove,  cleft,  217 
Rownsepyk,  a  branch,  616 

Sacring,  consecrating,  14  3 

Sad,  serious,  9  7 

Sadly,  heartily,  earnestly,  7  2 

Salle,  room,  17  1 6 

Samite,    silk    stuff  with    gold    or    silvei 

threads,  1  25 

Sangreal,  Holy  Grail,  12  4 
Sarps,  girdles,  20  14 
Saw,  proverb,  10  6 1 
Scathes,  harms,  hurts,  10  30 
Scripture,  writing,  17  2 1 
Search,  probe  wounds,  8  8 
Selar,  canopy,  17  6 
Semblable,  like,  5  10 
Semblant,  semblance,  8  8 
Sendal,  fine  cloth,  5  8 
Sennight,  week,  4  18 
Servage,  slavery,  13  15 


512 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Sewer,  officer  who  set  on  dishes  and  tasted 

them,  7  36 

Shaft-mon,  hand  breadth,  7  22 
Shaw,  thicket,  9  39 
Sheef,  thrust,  13  9 
Sheer-Thursday,  Thursday  in  Holy  Week, 

1720 

Shend,  harm,  20  19 

Shenship,  disgrace,  7  15 

Shent,  undone,  blamed,  7  1 5 

Shour,  attack,  20  14 

Shrew,  rascal,  10  47 

Shrewd,  knavish,  9  1 8,  24 

Sib,  akin  to,  8  3 

Sideling,  sideways,  1064 

Siege,  seat,  184 

Signified,  likened,  179 

Siker,  sure,  7  18,  11  13 

Sikerness,  assurance,  4  27 

Sith,  since,  1  22 

Sithen,  afterwards,  since,  5  9 

Skift,  changed,  9  40 

Slade,  valley,  6  5,  7  7 

Slake,  glen,  6  5 

Soil  (to  go  to),  hunting  term  for  taking  the 

water,  18  21 
Sonds,  messages,  21  I 
Sort,  company,  931 
Sperd,  bolted,  8  34 
Spere,  ask,  inquire,  13  17 
Spered,  asked,  7  30,  21  8 
Sperhawk,  sparrowhawk,  12  7 
Sprent,  sprinkled,  17  ^ 
Stale,  station,  5  10 
Stark,  thoroughly,  4  17 
Stead,  place,  4  14 

Stert,  started,  rose  quickly,  2  16,  14  10 
Steven,    appointment,    2 14 ;    steven    set, 

appointment  made,  8  13 
Steven,  voice,  21  12 
Stigh,  path,  731 
Stilly,  silently,  7  19 
Stint,  fixed  revenue,  1  24 
Stonied,  astonished,  6  8  ;  became  confused, 

»  34 

Stour,  battle,  9  34,  16  8 
Strain,  race,  descent,  138 
Strait,  narrow,  1  10 
Straked,  blew  a  horn,  9  21,  10  52 
Sue,  pursue,  16  20 
Sued,  pursued,  3  10 
Surcingles,  saddle  girths,  7  16 
Swang,  swung,  8  14 
Sweven,  dream,  1  13  ;  />/.,  21  12 
Swough,  sound  of  wind,  5  4 

Talent,  desire,  10  20 

Tallages,  taxes,  5  2 

Tallies,  taxes,  5  2 

Tamed,  crushed,  2  18,  3  10,  15  z 


Tatches,  qualities,  2  2,  8  J 

Tene,  sorrow,  2  16 

Term,  period  of  time,  21  I 

Thilk,  that  same,  5  12 

Tho,  then,  17  i 

Thrang,  pushed,  7  30,  20  8 

Thrulled,  pushed,  9  4 

Till,  to,  9  26 

To-brast,  burst,  613 

To-fore,  before,  14,  1614 

To-morn,  to-morrow,  4  24 

Took,  gave,  7  30,  166 

To-rove,  broke  up,  8  38 

To-shivered,  broken  to  pieces,  1  22 

Traced,  advanced  and  retreated,  20  21 

Trains,  devices,  wiles,  925 

Trasing,  pressing  forward,  68,74 

Travers  (met  at),  came  across,  17  19 

Traverse,  slantwise,  1065,  17  19 

Traversed,  moved  sideways,  2021 

Tray,  grief,  2  16 

Treatise,  treaty,  4  24 

Tree,  timber,  17  19 

Trenchant,  cutting,  sharp,  19  1 1 

Trest,  hunting  term,  18  21 

Truage,  tribute,  1  23,  5  I 

Trussed,  packed,  20  1 8 

Ubblic,  wafer,  Host,  17  20 

Umbccast,  cast  about,  1821 

Umberere,  the  part  of  the  helmet  which 

shaded  the  eyes,  841 
Umbr.e,  shade,  8  I 
Unaviscd,  thoughtlessly,  9  17 
Uncouth,  strange,  3  6 
Underne,  9-12  A.M.,  7  19 
Ungoodly,  rudely,  731 
Unhappy,  unlucky,  20  1 1 
Unhilled,  uncovered,  124 
Unnethe,  scarcely,  1  15,  18  a 
Unsicker,  unstable,  1723 
Unwimpled,  uncovered,  10  39 
Unwrast,  untwisted,  unbound,  8  34 
Upright,  flat  on  the  back,  16  8 
Up-so-down,  upside   down,   10  60,    14  9, 

213 

Ure,  usage,  1  16 
Utas,  octave  of  a  festival,  5  3 
Utterance,  uttermost,  9  3 

Varlet,  servant,  10  60 

Venery,  hunting,  8  3 

Vcntails,  breathing  holes,  10  60 

Villain,  man  of  low  birth,  10  6 1 

Visors,  the  perforated  parts  of  helmets,  8  7 

Voided,  slipped  away  from,  1  16 

Wagging,  shaking,  19  9 
Waited,  watched,  6  1 6 
Waits,  watches,  7  30 
Wallop,  gallop,  1  22 


GLOSSARY 


Wanhope,  despair,  16  10, 13 

Wap,  ripple,  21  5 

Ware,  aware,  14  7 

Warison,  reward,  9  12 

Warn,  forbid,  refuse,  6  10,  16  1 1 

Weeds,  garments,  10  71 

Weltered,  rolled  about,  5  5,  11  8 

Wend,  thought,  4  27 

Wer-wolf,  a  man  turned  into  a  wolf  by 

magic,  19  ii 
Where,  whereas,  9  7 
Wide-where,  over  wide  space,  9  2 
Wield,  possess,  have  power  over,  7  26 
Wield  himself,  come  to  himself,  813 
Wight,  brave,  strong,  7  9,  9  4,  20  2 
Wightly,  swiftly,  21  3 
Wildsome,  desolate,  7  22 
Wimpled,  with  the  head  covered,  10  68 
Win,  make  way,  9  4 
Wite,  v.,  blame,  1  26,  4  II 
Within-forth,  on  the  inside,  16  13,  2022 
Without-forth,  on  the  outside,  16  13, 2022 
Wittiest,  cleverest,  17  3 


Wittily,  cleverly,  10  36 

Witting,  knowledge,  11  14 

Wold  or  nold,  would  or  would  not,  13  10 

Wonder,  adj.,  wondrous,  17  I 

Wonder,  adv.,  wondrously,  10  68,  20  22 

Wonderly,  wonderfully,  9  4 

Wood,  mad,  1  15,  93 

Woodness,  madness,  1  15 

Wood  shaw,  thicket  of  the  wood,  9  iz 

Worship,  honour,  723 

Worshipped,  cause  to  be  honoured,  18  5 

Worts,  roots,  163 

Wot,  know,  1  1 6 

Wrack,  destruction,  20  I 

Wrokenj  wreaked,  3  7 

Wrothe,  twisted,  122 

Yede,  ran,  2i8 
Yelden,  yielded,  20  20 
Yerde,  stick,  stem,  17  5 
Yode,  went,  6  2 
Yolden,  yielded,  5  12 
Y-wis,  certainly,  10  58 


VOL.   II 


2  L 


INDEX 


Abbey  of  La  Beale  Adventure,  £4 

Abblasoure,  a  place  or  castle,  13  14 

Abel,  17  5,  6 

Abelleus,  a  knight,  3  1 1 

Ablamor  of  the  Marsh,  a  knight,  3  7 

Accolon  of  Gaul,  Sir,  Arthur's  scabbard 
given  him,  2  1 1  ;  hunts  with  Arthur,  4 
6  j  his  adventure  at  the  well,  48; 
nearly  kills  Arthur,  4  9  ;  dies,  4  12 

Adam,  17  5 

Adder,  stings  and  produces  a  war,  21  4 

Adtherp,  Sir,  wounded,  8  30,  31 

Africa,  5  2,  10 

Agente,  earldom  of,  20  1 8 

Aglovale,  Sir,  10  23  ;  fights,  10  48  ;  seeks 
Sir  Launcelot,  11  10  ;  is  slain,  20  8 

Agravaine,  Sir,  son  of  Lot's  wife,  1  19  ; 
marries,  7  35  ;  fights,  10  13,  25,  46,  56  ; 
is  open  mouthed,  18  I  ;  fights,  18  1 1, 
23  5  rides  with  the  queen,  19  i  ;  spies 
upon  Launcelot  and  the  queen,  19  13  ; 
denounces  the  love  of  Launcelot  for  the 
queen,  20  I,  2  ;  finds  Launcelot  with 
the  queen  and  raises  a  cry  of  traitor, 
20  3  ;  is  killed  by  Launcelot,  20  4 

Aguarus,  15  2 

Agwisance  of  Ireland,  King,  swears  to  bring 
five  thousand  horsemen,  1  12  ;  fights, 
1 14  ;  with  Arthur,  7  27  ;  fights,  7  28 

Alakuke,  Lord,  5  7 

Albans,  St.,  1  4 

Alexander,  6  10  ;  chronicles  respecting, 
20i7 

Alexandria,  52,  10 

Alice  la  Beale  Pilgrim,  why  so  called,  10 
38  ;  her  offer,  it.  ;  her  love,  10  39 

Aliduke,  Sir,  6  9  j  at  a  dinner  in  London, 

183 

Alisander  le  Orphelin,  10  32 ;  his  life 
saved,  1033;  at  Arundel  Castle,  it. ; 
made  knight,  10  34  ;  promises  to  avenge 
his  father's  death,  ib. ;  his  life  sought 
by  King  Mark,  1035;  fights,  1036; 
his  life  saved  by  Morgan  le  Fay,  10  37  ; 
promises  to  abide  in  the  castle  a  year 


and  a  day,  ib. ;  delivered  by  a  damsel, 

10  38  ;  his  love  for  Alice  la  Beale  Pil- 
grim,  1038,39;  lives   with  Alice    in 
Benoye,  10  39  ;  of  his  son  Sir  Bellan- 
gere,  18  1 1 

Allardin  of  the  Isles,  3  6 

Allein,  a  warrior,  10  9 

Allhallowmas,  1  5,  10 

Almain,  5  2,  8,  9 

Almesbury,  Queen  Guenever  a  nun  at,  21 

7  ;  of  a  vision  respecting  the  death  of 
Queen  Guenever  there,  21  10 

Alphegus,  Sir,  slain  by  Sir  Urre,  19  10 

Amant,  Sir,  his  adventure  with  King 
Mark,  10  7  ;  fights,  10  14 

Ambage,  country  of,  5  2 

Andred,  Sir,  cousin  to  Tristram,  815; 
spies  upon  Tristram  and  La  Beale 
Isoud,  8  22  ;  struggles  with  Tristram, 

8  34  ;  his  false  news  of  Tristram,  9  20  ; 
slain,  19  ii 

Anglides  (Prince  Boud  win's  wife),  flies  with 
her  son  from  King  Mark,  10  32  ;  cap- 
tured and  released  by  Sir  Sadok,  10  33  ; 
at  Arundel  Castle,  ib. ;  begs  her  son  to 
avenge  his  father's  death,  10  34 

Anguish  of  Ireland,  King,  sends  to  King 
Mark  for  tribute,  8  4  ;  orders  a  tourna- 
ment, 89;  his  speech  to  Tristram,  8 

11  ;    summoned    to   Arthur's    court,  8 
2O  ;  Tristram  his  champion,  8  22  ;  sails 
for  Ireland,  823  ;  sends  his  daughter  to 
King  Mark,  8  24  ;  at  a  tournament,  18 
8  ;  brings  a  hundred  knights,  18  22 

Anguish  of  Scotland,  King,  5  2 
Anguissance  of  Ireland,  King,  19  n 
Aniause,  King,  the  story  of  his  love,  16  7, 

9 

Anjou,  Sir  Dinas  made  duke  of,  20  1 8 

Annecians,  1  17 

Annowre  (a  sorceress),  9  1 6 

Ansirus,  Duke  (the  pilgrim),  10  38 

Antemes,  1  17 

An  wick,  21  12 

Arabe,  mount  of,  5  5 


5i6 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Arable,  5  2 

Arbray,  cattle  of,  10  50 

Archadc,  Sir,  fights,  10  43 

Argiu»,  Sir,  10  28 

Argustus,  son  of  King  Harlon,  15  6 

Aries  (the  cowherd),  3  3 

Aristance,  Sir,  rights,  1049 

Aristause,  Earl,  19  1 1 

Arminak,  Earl  of,  20  18 

Arnold  de  Breusse,  Sir,  7  14 

Arnold,  Sir,  7  26 

Arrage,  country  or,  52 

Arrok  de  Grevant,  Sir,  19  II 

Arrouse,  Earl,  10  44 

Arroy,  country  and  forest  of,  4  1 8 

Arthur,  is  born,  1  3  j  pulls  the  sword  out 
of  the  stone,  16;  made  king,  1 7  j 
fights,  Ig;  gives  a  banquet,  1  10 ; 
ordains  a  tourney,  In;  in  battle,  1  14 
sqq. ;  falls  in  love,  1  17 ;  first  sees 
Guenever,  1  18  ;  his  dream,  1  19  ;  sees 
the  strange  beast,  119;  meets  Igraine, 
1 20 ;  fights,  123;  his  life  saved  by 
Merlin,  1  24  ;  gets  a  sword,  125; 
fights  Nero,  2  10  ;  is  sick,  2  12  ;  loves 
Guenever,  3  i  ;  marries  Guenever,  85$ 
warned  by  Merlin  to  keep  his  sword 
and  scabbard,  4  i  ;  fights  with  five 
kings,  4  3  ;  founds  an  abbey,  44;  rides 
hit  horse  to  death,  4  6  ;  in  prison,  46; 
fights  Accolon  and  is  nearly  killed,  4 
9  5  recovers  in  an  abbey,  4  12  ;  follows 
his  sister  for  the  scabbard,  4  14  j  Roman 
Emperor  sends  to  him  for  tribute,  5  i  ; 
his  splendour,  5  2 ;  ordains  two  governors 
to  act  while  he  goes  to  war  with  the 
Emperor  of  Rome,  5  3  5  dreams  of  an 
encounter  between  a  boar  and  a  dragon, 
64;  his  ribs  crushed  by  a  giant,  5  5  ; 
embraces  his  knights  after  battle,  5  7  ; 
crowned  at  Rome  by  the  Pope,  5  12  j 
at  the  Avilion  tournament,  7  27  ;  makes 
marriages,  735;  jousts  with  Sir  Lamo- 
rak,  9  14 ;  his  life  saved  by  Tristram, 
9i7;  cuts  off  a  lady's  head,  it. ;  at  a 
tournament,  9  29,  32  ;  fights,  9  34  ; 
jousts  with  Tristram,  9  3  3  ;  his  welcome 
to  King  Mark,  10  15  ;  arranges  jousts 
at  a  priory,  10  2 1  ;  makes  peace  between 
King  Mark  and  Tristram,  10  22  ;  orders 
jousting,  10  52  ;  jousts,  1069,  79  ;  sees 
marvels,  133;  as'cs  Sir  I*01"8  to  do 
battle  for  the  queen,  18  5  ;  at  a  tourney, 

18  10 ;  jousts,    1823;    sees  a  miracle, 

19  12 ;    is   told    by   Agravaine    of    his 
queen's  infidelity,  20  2  ;  agrees  to  Agra- 
vaine's  scheme  for  the  taking  of  Launce- 
lot  with  the  queen,  it. ;  swoons  for  pure 
sorrow,  20  9  ;   tells  all  that  Launcelot 
has    bereft   him  of  his    queen,  20  10 ; 


besieges  Launcelot  in  the  castle  of 
Joyous  Card,  it.;  talks  to  Launcelot 
ty  the  castle  wall,  20  1  1  ;  burns 
and  wastes  Launcelot's  lands,  20  19  ; 
Arthur's  life  accounted  by  some  to  be 
but  war  and  strife,  21  1  ;  at  Dover  with 
a  great  navy,  21  2  ;  in  battle  against 
Mordred,  il>.  ;  goes  with  his  army 
toward  Salisbury,  21  3  ;  of  his  dream, 
it.  ;  wounded  by  Mordred,  21  4  ; 
orders  Bedivere  to  throw  his  sword 
Excalibur  into  the  water,  21  5  ;  re- 
ceived into  a  barge  in  which  are  three 
queens  and  fair  ladies,  it. 

Arundel  Castle,  10  33 

Asia,  5  2 

Astamore,  Sir,  183,  19  n,  202 

Astlabor,  King,  10  82,  83 

Astolat,  a  town,  "in  English  called  Guild- 
ford,"  18  8 

Avilion,  Isle  of,  7  26  ;  vale  of,  21  5 

Babylon,  17  23 

Bagdemagus,  King,  his  various  adventures, 
4  5  ;  fights,  6  6  ;  is  sorely  wounded, 
13  9  ;  the  inscription  on  his  tomb, 
17  17  ;  his  speech  to  Sir  Launcelot, 


Balan,  prediction  concerning,  1  18  ;  is 
killed,  2  18 

Balin  le  Savage,  prediction  concerning, 
1  18  ;  obtains  a  wondrous  sword,  22; 
fights,  25;  his  adventure  with  a  damsel, 
2i3;  his  adventure  with  a  wondrous 
spear,  2  15  ;  saved  by  Merlin,  2  16  ;  is 
killed,  2  1  8  ;  his  sword  owned  by  Sir 
Galahad,  13  5 

Bamborough,  21  1  2 

Ban  of  Benwick,  King,  in  battle,  1  16 

Bandes,  King,  10  46 

Barant  le  Apres,  Sir,  called  King  with  the 
Hundred  Knights,  fights  Sir  Tristram, 
10  60 

Barflete,  in  Flanders,  6  4 

Barham  Down,  near  Canterbury,  a  battle 
upon,  21  2 

Baudwin  of  Britain,  Sir,  made  constable, 
17;  appointed  one  of  two  governors  of 
the  realm  by  Arthur,  63;  a  surgeon, 
18  12  ;  a  hermit,  18  17 

Bayonne,  20  18.     See  also  Benwick 

Beale-Valet,  castle  of,  10  25 

Beam,  Earl  of,  20  1  8 

Beaumains  (Fair  -hands),  placed  in  the 
kitchen,  7  i  ;  obtains  armour,  73; 
fights,  7  4  ;  knighted,  7  5  ;  fights,  7  6,  8, 
10,  12  ;  blows  the  great  horn,  7  15  j 
fights,  7  16  ;  is  Sir  Gareth  of  Orkney, 
7  20  ;  in  love,  721.  See  also  Gareth 

Beaume,  see  Bayonne 


INDEX 


Bedegraine,  forest  of,  In;   castle  of,   1 

12,  17  ;  battle  of,  1  18 
Bedivere,  Sir,  rides  with  Arthur, 5  5  ;  fights, 

18  1 1  ;  on  an  embassy,  21  3  ;  disobeys 
King  Arthur,  21  5  ;  at  Arthur's  tomb, 
21 6  ;  meets  Launcelot,  21 10  ;  a  hermit 
to  his  life's  end,  21  13 

Bellas  le  Orgulous,  Sir,  slain,  20  8 
Belinus,  King  of  Britain,  5  I 
Bellangere  (a  constable),  10  33 
Bellangere  le  Orgulous,  Sir,  19  n 
Bellaus,  a  knight,  1  17 
Bellengerus  le  Beuse,  son  of  Alisander  le 

Orphelin,  10  40  ;  of  the  avenging  of  his 

father's  death,  19  II,  20  17 
Belleus,  Sir,  wounded  by  Sir  Launcelot,  6 

5  ;  made  knight  of  the  Round  Table, 

6  18 

Belliance  le  Orgulous,  Sir,  8  41 

Bendelaine,  Sir,  731 

Benoye,  country  of,  10  39 

Benwick,  city  of,  1  10 ;  realm  of,  In; 
King  Ban  of,  it.,  4  I  ;  called  Bayonne, 
20  1 8  ;  besieged,  20  2O 

Berel,  Sir,  5  6 

Berluse,  Sir,  10  10 

Bernard  of  Astolat,  Sir,  18  9  ;  his  son  Sir 
Lavaine,  it.,  18  18 

Bersules,  Sir,  10  7 

Bertelot,  Sir,  12  z 

Blamore  de  Ganis,  Sir,  brought  before  the 
judges,  822;  fights,  931;  seeks  Sir 
Tristram,  9  36  ;  fights  with  Sir  Pala- 
mides,  10  44  ;  at  a  dinner  in  London, 
183  ;  made  Duke  of  Limosin,  20  18  ; 
rides  through  England  to  seek  Sir 
Launcelot,  21  10 

Bleise,  historian,  1  17 

Bleoberis  de  Ganis,  Sir,  bears  the  standard, 
Ii5;  fights  with  Palamides,  7  29  ; 
demands  a  lady  of  King  Mark,  8  15  ; 
fights  with  Tristram,  817;  takes  a 
lady  to  Sir  Segwarides,  8  18  ;  parts  with 
his  brother,  822  ;  fights  with  La  Cote 
Male  Taile,  9  3  ;  fights  at  a  tourna- 
ment, 9  30 ;  his  castle  of  Ganis,  937; 
fights  at  a  tournament,  10  41,  45  ; 
fights,  1053 

Bliant,  Sir,  rescued  by  Launcelot,  122; 
castle  of,  12  5 

Bloias  de  la  Flandres,  knight,  115 

Blois  de  la  Case,  knight,  1  17 

Bobart  le  Cure  Hardy,  Sir  (Arthur's  son), 

19  ii 

Borre,  knight  of  the  Round  Table,  1  17 
Bors  de  Ganis,  Sir,  sent  by  the  king  to 
Lucius,  6  6  ;  fights,  ii.  ;  personal 
attendant  on  Arthur,  6  8  ;  fights,  7  28  ; 
goes  to  seek  Tristram,  9  36  ;  sees  the 
Sangreal,  11 4 ;  sees  marvels,  11  5  ; 


weeps,  11  9  ;  of  his  son,  12  9  ;  at  a 
hermitage,  16  6  ;  in  a  castle  with  a 
lady,  16  7  ;  his  vision,  168;  fights, 
il>. ;  restores  an  estate  to  a  lady,  16  9  ; 
fights,  16  10 ;  tells  his  dream  to  a 
priest,  16  ii  ;  sees  strange  marvels,  16 
12 ;  the  abbot's  explanation  of  his 
adventures,  16  13  &f. ;  his  shield  burnt 
by  a  marvellous  flame,  16  17  ;  his  meet- 
ing with  Percivale,  ib.  ;  meets  Galahad, 
17  2  ;  a  marvellous  sword  given  him,  17 
19  ;  Launcelot's  affection  for,  17  23  ; 
dines  with  the  queen,  18  3  ;  finds 
Launcelot  ill  in  bed,  18  16  ;  crowned 
king,  20  1 8 

Bors  of  Gaul,  King,  1  10  ;  fights,  115 

Boudwin,  Sir,  murdered  by  King  Mark, 
1032 

Brabant,  5  9 

Bragwaine,  Dame,  chief  gentlewoman  to 
La  Beale  Isoud,  8  24  ;  bound  to  a  tree,  8 
29  ;  travels,  9  10  ;  recognises  Tristram, 
92i;  gives  letters  to  Tristram,  927; 
her  adventure  in  a  forest,  9  32  ;  rescued 
by  Launcelot,  936 

Brandegore,  King,  12  9 

Brandegoris  of  Stranggore,  King,  1  12  ; 
fights,  1  14 

Brandel,  Sir,  6  9 

Brandiles,  Sir,  fights,  915,  10  13  ;  dines 
with  the  queen,  183;  fights,  18  1 1  ;  i» 
slain,  20  8 

Brastias,  Sir,  1  2  sqq. ;  fights,  1  9,  10,  14  ; 
a  hermit  living  in  the  forest  of  Windsor, 
182,  5,  21 

Brenius,  King  of  Britain,  5  I 

Breunor,  Sir,  8  24 

Breunor  le  Noir,  see  La  Cote  Male  Taile 

Breuse  Saunce  Pile,  Sir,  fights  with  Tris- 
tram, 8  21  ;  takes  a  shield,  9  5  ;  chases 
a  lady,  9  26  ;  runs  away,  9  36,  41, 
10  2  ;  kills  a  knight  and  a  woman, 
102;  his  shameful  deeds,  10  S3  ;  runs 
away,  12  2 

Brian  de  Listinoise,  Sir,  6  9 

Brian  of  the  Forest,  3  6 

Brian  of  the  Isles,  813;  fights,  7  28,  9  6 

Briant,  a  knight,  1  15 

Briant  de  la  Forest  Savage,  1  17 

Briant  of  North  Wales,  Sir,  jousts  with 
Sir  Launcelot,  9  28 

Bridge,  of  iron  and  steel,  2  19 

Brisen,  Dame,  an  enchantress,  11  2  ;  de- 
ceives Launcelot,  ib.,  11  8  ;  throws  an 
enchantment  upon  Launcelot,  12  4 

Britain,  5  8  ;  Petit,  9  44  ;  Great,  13  10  j 
people  Christianised,  ib. 

Britons,  1  15,  56,  8 

Brittany,  country  of,  5  5,  7  26,  89,  35, 
9  10  ;  Duchess  of,  5  5  ;  King  of,  8  i 


5i8 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Bromel  la  Pleche,  Sir,  113 
Bruin  le  Noire,  Sir,  19  n 

Cador  of  Cornwall,  Sir,  5  i,  2,  6,  7 

Cain,  17  5 

Calabre,  country  of,  5  2 

Caliburn,  a  knight,  5  6 

Calidone,  17  3 

Cambenet,  Duke  of,  1  12,  15 

Carabines,  Duke,  10  49 

Cameliard,  country  of,  1  17,  3  i,  10  36 

Camelot,  a  castle,  2  i  ;  city  of,  2  7  ;  St. 
Stephen's  church  in,  2  10,  3  5  ;  city  of, 
2i9,  87,  10,  13,  15,  44,  6,  12,  28, 
819,  97  j  river  of,  102,  5,  8,  14,  16, 
2O,  24,  80,  116;  "  called  in  English 
Winchester,"  12  10 ;  the  fellowship 
of  the  Round  Table  on  the  vigil  of 
Pentecost  at,  13  i  ;  the  meadow  of, 
13  6,  16  4,  17  17,  23  ;  a  tournament 
at,  18  8 

Candlemas,  1  6 

Canterbury,  Archbishop  of,  1  4  syf .;  Bishop 
of,  82;  Mordred  crowned  king  at, 
21  i  ;  Bishop  of,  curses  Mordred,  ib, ; 
Mordred  and  his  party  fly  to,  21  2 ;  a 
hermit,  formerly  Bishop  of,  buries 
Arthur,  21  6 

Capadoce,  country  of,  5  2 

Carados,  King  of,  18;  king,  1  12,  15  ; 
Sir,  421,  68,  726;  king,  820,  22; 
Sir,  made  like  a  giant,  8  28  ;  king,  in 
prison,  9  8  ;  king  C.  of  Scotland,  9  25  ; 
king,  931,  33,  10  36,  19  n 

Carbonek,  castle  of,  14  2,  17  i  ;  Launcelot 
at,  17  16,  19 

Car  de  Gomeret,  a  knight,  10  36 

Cardican,  castle  of,  11  12 

Cardiff,  captain  of,  5  9  ;  the  place,  9  16  ; 
Launcelot  embarks  at,  20  18  ;  Arthur 
embarks  at,  20  19  ;  Mordred  made  ruler 
of  England  at,  it. 

Cardoile,  a  place,  4  2 

Cardok,  Sir,  19  1 1 

Cardol,  father  of  Sir  Griflet,  1 10 

Carlion,  city  of,  1  8,  12,  19,  25,72,23, 
1026 

Carlisle,  the  suffragan  of,  12  14  ;  Arthur's 
court  held  at,  19  10,  12  ;  Guenever  dis- 
graced at,  20  8,  14  ;  Sir  Launcelot  to 
go  in  his  shirt,  barefoot,  from  Sandwich 
to,  20  1 6 

Carteloise,  castle  of,  17  7 

Case,  castle  of,  11  2 

Castle    Blank,  Launcelot's   adventure  at, 

122 

Castor,  Sir,  12  4,  6 
Cateland,  country  of,  5  a 
Caulas,  a  knight,  1  17 
Cayer,  country  of,  5  2 


Chaleins    of    Clarance,  Duke,   fights,   10 

44,  48,  18  22 
Champayne,  5  5 
Chariot,  castle,  6  3 
Chestelaine,  Sir,  5  II 
Church,  greatest  in  London,  1  5 
Clariance  de  la  Forest  Savage,  114 
Clariance  of  Northumberland,  King,  1  14. 

19  1 1 

Clarisin,  Countess,  5  12 

Clarrus  of  Cleremont,  Sir,  made  Duke  of 

Normandy,  20  5,  18,  21  10 
Claudas,  King,  1  10,  1 1,  17,  4  i,  5  2,  11  6, 

20  19 

Claudine,  son  of  King  Claudas,  1  7,  2  i 

Clegis  of  Sadok,  Sir,  5  9,  19  u,  20  5 

Cleremond,  Sir,  5  9 

Cloddrus,  Sir,  19  n 

Colgrevance,  Sir,  924;  fights,  16  15,  19 

11;     is    prepared    to   seize    Launcelot, 

202 

Colgrevaunce  de  Gorre,  Sir,  1  17 
Collibe,  sea  of,  17  2 
Cologne,  5  2 

Colombe,  a  lady,  2  7,  10  5 
Comange,  Earl  of,  20  1 8 
Commons,  1  7,  4  8  ;  children  of,  5  5 
Constantino,  son  of  Queen  Heleine,  5  I ; 

country  of,  5  5 
Constantine,  Sir  (Sir  Cador's  son),  to  be 

Arthur's  successor,  5  3,  19  1 1  ;  King  of 

England,  21  13 
Corbin,  bridge  of,  111;  place,  11  6  ;  city 

of,  123 

Corneus,  Duke,  1  10 
Cornwall,  a  mighty  duke  in,  1  i ;  Merlin 

arrives  in,  4  i ;  Tristram  in,  till  nineteen 

years  of  age,  83;  Tristram  of,  819; 

delivered   from  payment  to  Ireland   by 

Tristram,  8  38  ;    all  the    knights    of, 

challenged,    938;    Mordred    to   have, 

213 

Corsabrin,  Sir,  his  love  for  a  damsel,  10  46 
Cradelmas,  King,  1  12,  15 
Cradelment  of  North  Wales,  King,  1  14 
Crosselme,  Sir,  19  II 
Curselaine,  Sir,  20  2 
Cyprus,  5  2 

Dagonet,  Sir  (Arthur's  fool),  fights,  9  3  ; 

in  a  well,  9  19  ;  makes  sport  as  a  knight, 

10  12 

Dalan,  fights,  1025 
Damas,  Sir,  to  evil  no  knight  will  fight 

with  him,  4  6  ;  is  slain,  20  8 
Damaske,  country  of,  5  2 
Damiete,  country  of,  5  2 
Daname,  Sir,  9  37 
Darras,  Sir,  9  36,  37,  19  II 
David,  17  5 


INDEX 


519 


Degrane  Sance  Vilany,  Sir,  19  n 

Delectable  Isle,  10  62 

Denmark,  King  of,  42;  the  son  of  the 
King  of,  13  12 

De  Vance,  Lady,  2  9 

Dinadan,  Sir,  fights  with  Tristram,  9  22  ; 
at  a  tournament,  9  34 ;  talks  with 
Arthur,  10  20  ;  fights,  10  25,  42,  47  ; 
amuses  the  court,  1047;  fights,  and 
made  sport  of,  10  49  ;  denounces  love, 
1056;  fights,  1057,  80,  19  1 1 

Dinant,  Sir,  rescued  from  a  giant  by  Tris- 
tram, 9  20 

Dinas,  Sir,  7  28,  8  8,  32  ;  fights,  9  38,  10 
51,  19  1 1,  205;  made  a  duke,  20  18 

Dodinas  le  Savage,  Sir,  fights,  425,  7  18, 

8  16,  104,  66,  18  ii,  19  i,  ii 
Dolphine,  5  10 

Dornar,  King  Pellinore's  son,  10  23 

Dornard,  Sir,  10  48 

Dover,    In,    5  12  ;    Mordred  at,    21  i  ; 

Launcelot  at,  21  8,  10 
Driant,  Sir,  8  33,  9  24, 19  1 1 ;  is  slain,  20  8 
Durnore,  Sir,  19  1 1 
Dutchmen,  Duke  of,  5  1 1 

Easter,  1  6 

Eastland,  Queen  of,  5  3 

Ebel,  Sir,  his  story  of  the  dead  knight,  10 

61 
Ector,  Sir,  Arthur  as  a  child  given  to  him, 

13," 

Ector,  Sir,  wife  of,  suckles  Arthur,  1  3 
Ector  de  Maris,  Sir,  fights,  62,  13,  8  19, 

9  16,  31  ;  seeks  Tristram,  9  36  ;    Joes 
great  deeds  of  arms,  1021  ;   fights,  10 
41,    45  ;    tricked     by    Breuse,    10  53  ; 
fights,  1079;  healed  by  the   Sangreal, 
11  14 ;    meets    Launcelot,    12  7  ;    his 
vision,    162,    17  1 6,    19  n;    crowned 
King  of  Ben  wick,  20  18  ;  rides  through 
England    to    find     Launcelot,    21  10 ; 
swoons  on  seeing  Launcelot's  dead  body, 
2113 

Edward  of  Carnarvon,  Sir,  19  n 
Edward  of  Orkney,  Sir,  10  68,  19  it 
Edward  of  the  Red  Castle,  Sir,  4  26 
Edward   the  Fourth,  this   book  ended   in 

the  ninth  year  of,  21  13 
Egglame,  a  knight,  125 
Egypt,  5  2  ;  King  of,  5  8 
Elaine  (King  Ban's  wife),  4  i 
Elaine  (King  Nentres'  wife),  1  2 
Elaine  (King  Pelles'  daughter  and  mother 
of  Launcelot's    son    Galahad),  her   in- 
timacy with  Launcelot,  11  2  ;  her  child 
born,  11  3  ;   heals  Launcelot   with   the 
Sangreal,    12  4 ;    her    sorrow    at     the 
departure  of  Launcelot,  12  9  ;  Launcelot 
hears  of  the  death  of,  17  1 6 


Elaine  le  Blank,  the  story  of  her  love  for 

Launcelot,  18  9,  14,  19 
Elamie,  country  of,  5  2 
Eleine,  slew  herself,  815 
Elian  le  Blank,  16  6 
Elias,  a  captain,  10  28  ;    fights,  10   29  ; 

dies,  10  30 

Elias  de  Gomeret,  a  knight,  10  36 
Eliazar,  son  of  King  Pelles,  16  6  ;  brings  a 

wondrous  sword,  17  19 
Eliot,  a  harper,  10  27  ;  offends  King  Mark 

by  his  song,  10  31 
Elis  la  Noire,  a  knight,  10  44 
Elise,  Sir,  10  46 

Elizabeth,  a  queen,  8  i  ;  of  her  death,  8  5 
Emerause,  a  knight,  1  17 
England,  13;  Arthur  to  be  long  king  of, 

1  8,  2   i,  4  28,  6  i,  7  26,  8  9,  19 

36,  10  50,  11  6,   10,  12  5,  19   10 ; 

letters  and  writs  sent  through,  20  10 ; 

interdicting  of,  20  13 
Englishmen,  21  i 
Epinogrus,  Sir,  7  26  ;  fights,  10  55,  65  5 

his  argument  with   Palamides,  10  82, 

18  10,  19  ii 
Erminide,  Sir,  19  n 
Ertaine,  country  of,  6  2 
Estorause,  King,  dies,  17  22 
Estrake,  Earl  of,  20  18 
Estsex,  Essex,  21  3 
Ethelwold,  5  ii 

Ethiope,  King  of,  5  8 

Ettard,  a  lady,  4  20 ;  her  sorrow,  4  22  j 

dies,  4  23 

Euphrates,  river  of,  5  2  ;  flood  of,  17  3 
Europe,  5  2 

Eustace  of  Cambenet,  Duke,  1  14 
Evangelists,  1  2,  3  15,  17  9 
Eve,  17  5 
Evelake,  King,  13  10  ;  a  shield  made  for, 

/*.,144 

Ewaine  le  Blanchemains,  Sir,  1  2,  2  1 1 
Excalibur  (Cut-steel),  its  brightness  gives 

light    like   thirty   torches,   1 9  ;   of  its 

name,  23;    the   great   virtues  of   the 

scabbard,  2  1 1  ;  sent  to  Accolon,  4  8  ; 

regained  by  Arthur,  4  10  j  thrown  into 

the  water,  21  5 

Faramon   of  France,  King,  his   daughter 

dies  for  love  of  Tristram,  8  5 
Feldenak,  Sir,  5  6 
Felelolie,  Dame,  19  10  ;   marries   Sir  Lt- 

vaine,  19  13 

Felot  of  Langduk,  Sir,  3  9 
Felot  of  Listinoise,  Sir,  425 
Ferant  of  Spain,  Sir,  5  1 1 
Fergus,   Sir,  Earl,  4  25  ;    9  18,  10  26,  32, 

19  ii 
Flanders,  5  2,  9 


520 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Flannedrius,  a  knight,  1  17 

Florence,    Sir,    69;     fights,   and    obtains 

great  treasure,  5  n,  19  n  }  is  ready  to 

seize  Sir  Launcelot,  20  2 
Floridas,  Sir,  5  II 
Floris,  Sir,  5  iz 
Foise,  Earl  of,  20  18 
Four  Stones,  castle  of,  2  6 
France,  "  of  Gaul,  that  is  France,"  1  10, 

6  2,  5  ;  marshal  of,  65,  Si,  3,  9,  11 

6  ;  Launcelot  and  hit  nephews  lords  of, 

20  18 
Frol  of  the  Out  Isles,  Sir,  8  40 

Gahalantine,  Sir,  1 9  1 1  ;  made  a  duke, 
20  18 

Gaheris,  Sir,  1 19,  2ii;  a  squire  only, 
84;  asks  his  mother's  blessing,  725, 
27  ;  marries  "  the  damsel  Savage  that 
was  dame  Linet,"  735;  °f  n's  dealings 
with  Sir  Matto,  9 19;  fights,  9  30, 
34}  with  King  Mark,  938  ;  kills  his 
mother,  10  24 ;  fights,  10  44,  46,  48  ; 
nephew  of  Arthur,  10  55  ;  of  his  murder 
of  Lamorak,  ib.  ;  jeered  at  by  Tristram, 
ib.  j  of  his  murder  of  King  Pellinore, 
11  10 ;  at  a  dinner  in  London,  18  3  j 
fights,  18  ii,  23,  19  II  J  slain  by 
Launcelot,  20  8 

Gainus,  Sir,  5  6 

Galacie,  country  of,  5  2 

Galagars,  Sir,  chosen  to  be  a  knight  of  the 
Round  Table,  4  4 

Galahad,  Sir,  Merlin's  prophecy  concern- 
ing, 4  I  j  of  his  Siege  Perilous  and  the 
Sangreal  as  foretold  by  the  hermit, 
11  I  ;  is  born,  11  3  ;  strange  marvels 
concerning,  11 4 ;  is  made  a  knight, 
13  i  ;  sits  in  the  Siege  Perilous,  13  4  ; 
his  lineage,  13  8  ;  to  have  the  white 
shield,  13  9  ;  fights,  13  15  ;  strikes 
down  his  father,  13  17  ;  the  adventure 
of  the  damsel  and  the  sword,  17  7  ; 
meets  Launcelot,  17  13  j  a  horse  brought 
him,  17  14  ;  dies,  17  22 

Galahad,  Sir  (Breunor's  son),  8  26  ;  fights 
with  Tristram,  8  27 

Galahalt,  Sir  (le  haut  Prince),  10  20 ;  orders 
jousting,  10  40  ;  hates  fish,  10  48  ;  is 
called  Sir  Galahalt  of  the  Long  Isles, 
10  58, 18  13  j  brings  a  hundred  knights, 

1822,  19  1 1 

Galahault,  7  27 
Galapas,  a  giant,  5  8 
Galardoun,  a  dead  knight,  10  3 
Galatine,  Sir  Gawaine's  sword,  5  6,  10 
Galihodin,  Sir,  7  27  ;    seeks   Tristram,  9 
36,  10  49  ;  rides  with  twenty  knights, 
10  65  ;  attacks  Tristram's  party,  10  66  ; 
a  king  within  the  country  of  Surluse, 


it. ;  dines  with  the  queen,  18  3,  19  II  ; 
made  a  duke,  20  1 8 

Galihud,  Sir,  7  27  ;  fights,  7  28  ;  seeks 
Sir  Tristram,  9  36  ;  dines  with  the 
queen,  18  3  ;  made  an  earl,  20  1 8 

Galind,  Sir,  69 

Galleron  of  Galway,  Sir,  12  13  ;  godfather 
to  Palamides,  12  14,  19  n  . 

Ganis,  abbey  and  castle  of,  9  37 

Garaunt,  a  knight,  10  36 

Gareth,  Sir,  otherwise  called  Beaumains 
(see  Beaumains),  1  19,  2  II  j  his  iden- 
tity, 7  5,  20  ;  his  mother  takes  Arthur 
to  task  for  his  treatment  of,  725; 
a  magic  ring  lent  him,  7  27 ;  fights 
his  brother,  7  33  ;  fights,  10  57,  60,  67  ; 
dines  with  Guenever,  18  3  ;  does  great 
deeds,  18  23, 19  ii  ;  slain  by  Launcelot, 
208 

Garlon,  a  knight,  2  12 

Garlot,  land  of,  1  2 

Garnish  of  the  Mount,  a  knight,  2  16 

Gaul,  1  1 1,  15  4 

Gaunter,  Sir,  fights,  6  12 

Gautere,  Sir,  19  1 1  ;  is  slain,  20  8 

Gawaine,  Sir  (Arthur's  nephew),  comes  to 
court  with  his  mother,  1  19  ;  of  his 
avenging  his  father's  death,  2  10  ; 
written  in  gold  that  he  should  avenge 
his  father's  death,  2  1 3  ;  his  death  fore- 
told, 2  19  ;  Arthur  promises  to  make 
him  knight,  3  2  5  follows  the  hart,  36} 
kills  a  lady  by  misadventure,  87;  fights, 

3  8  ;  made  prisoner,  ib. ;  fights,  4  3  ;  to 
be  knight  of  the   Round   Table,  4  4  ; 
fights,  4  18  ;  his  meeting  with  a  damsel, 

4  19  ;  promises  aid  to  Pelleas,  4  21  ;  his 
adventure  with  the  lady  of  Pelleas,  4  22  ; 
is  sent  to  Lucius  by  Arthur,  5  6  ;  kills 
Gainus,  ib.  ;    fights,  5  10  ;   takes  great 
treasure  and  prisoners,  5  ii ;  fights  with 
Launcelot,  613;  fights  with  Tristram, 
7  29  }   fights  with  Gareth   by  mistake, 
733;  rescued    by  Launcelot,  828;  his 
adventure  at  a  well,  8415   rides  with 
Tristram,  926;   fights,  10  21,  46;  of 
his  murder  of  Lamorak,  10  54  ;  taunted 
by  Tristram,  10  55  ;  fights,  10  66  ;  to 
seek  Launcelot,  11  10  ;   tries   to  move 
the  sword,  13  3  ;  undertakes  the  quest 
of  the  Sangreal,  13  7  ;    fights,   13  16  ; 
tired  of  his  quest,  16  i  ;  his  vision,  ib. ; 
his  favourite  fruits,  183;  dines  with  the 
queen,  ib. ;  attempt  to  poison  him,  ib.  ; 
fights,   18  23  ;    his    advice    to    Arthur, 
20  7  ;    swoons,  20  10  ;    rebukes   Laun- 
celot, 20  1 6  ;    is   wounded    in    a    fight 
with  Launcelot,  20  22  j  writes  to  Laun 
celot  and  dies,  21  2 

Gawdelin,  Sir,  11  1 1 


INDEX 


521 


Genoese  warriors,  5  t 

Gerin,  Sir,  1047 

Gerine  le  Grose,  wedded,  10  37 

Germany,  5  8 

Gherard,  Sir,  5  1 1 

Giant  of  St.  Michael's  Mount,  scene  in  his 
kitchen,  5  5  ;  killed  by  Arthur,  ib. 

Gilbert,  Sir,  6  14 

Gillimer,  Sir,  is  slain,  20  8 

Gilmere,  Sir,  fights  Launcelot,  6  12 

Gingalin,  Sir,  son  of  Sir  Gawaine,  9  18, 
19n 

Glastonbury,  21  I,  7  ;  Sir  Launcelot  at, 
21  1 1 

Godard,  garrison  of,  5  10 

Godelake,  Sir,  7  27 

Goneris,  Sir,  his  treatment  of  a  damsel, 
1041 

Goodewin,  Sir,  11  n 

Goothe,  castle  of,  14  2 

Gore,  land  of,  1  2,  12,  4  15,  63;  Gala- 
had in,  17  1 8 

Gouvernail,  Tristram's  tutor,  83,  6 ; 
advises  his  master,  8  1 6  ;  before  King 
Anguish,  821;  serves  Tristram,  831, 
35  ;  Tristram's  squire,  9  10  ;  gets  new 
harness  for  Tristram,  10  4 

Graal,  Holy,  see  Sangreal 

Graciens  le  Castlein,  a  knight,  of  his 
castle,  1  n,  17 

Grastian,  a  knight  of  France,  1  1 1 

Greece,  5  2 

Griflet  le  Fise  de  Dieu,  Sir,  son  of  Cardol, 
1  10  ;  fights,  1  14,  17  ;  made  a  knight, 

1  22  ;    fights,  ib. ;    breaks  the  neck  of 
a  king,  4  3  ;  chosen  to  be  knight  of  the 
Round  Table,  4  4  ;  is  worsted,  8  9  ;  in 
a  castle,  10  12  ;  Griflet  and  G.  le  Fise 
de    Dieu    the  same,   10  67,  18  n  ;    is 
slain,  20  8 

Gringamore,  Sir,  steals  a  dwarf,  7  19  ;  with 
his  sister,  7  2 1  ;  at  the  Isle  of  Avilion, 
726 

Grip,  Earl,  8  36 

Gromere,  Sir,  19  n 

Gromore  Somir  Joure,  Sir,  20  2 

Grummore  Grummursum,  Sir,  a  Scotch 
knight,  7  26 

Guenever,  first  seen  by  Arthur,  1  18  ;  of 
her  future  love  for  Launcelot,  3  i  ;  sent 
for  by  Arthur,  ib. ;  marries  Arthur,  3  5  ; 
goes  with  Arthur  to  the  battle-field,  4 

2  ;  swoons  at  Arthur's  departure,  6  3  ; 
meets     Arthur     at     Sandwich,    5  12 ; 
receives    a    knight  with  a    dead    lady's 
body  and  head,  617;  corresponds  with 
La  Beale  Isoud,  837;  saved  from  a  lion, 
9  i  ;  portrayed  on  a  shield  with  Arthur, 
941  ;  letters  referring  to  her  affection 
for  Launcelot  received  by  the  king  and 


herself,  10  26  ;  falls  down  with  laughing, 
10  49  ;  her  opinions,  10  8 1  ;  calls 
Launcelot  false  knight,  116;  dismisses 
Launcelot,  11  8  ;  spends  £20,000  in  the 
search  for  Launcelot,  12  9  ;  her  sorrow, 
13  8  ;  her  anger  with  Launcelot,  18  i  ; 
dismisses  Launcelot,  18  2  ;  gives  a 
dinner  in  London  to  the  knights  of 
the  Round  Table,  18  3  ;  suspected  of 
poisoning,  ib. ;  accused  of  poisoning,  18 
4  ;  Sir  Bors  her  champion,  18  5  ;  a  fire 
prepared  to  burn  her,  186;  Launcelot 
fights  for  her,  187;  '8  jealous,  18  15  ; 
a  true  lover,  18  25  ;  is  captured,  192; 
visited  by  Launcelot,  19  6 ;  wishes 
Meliagrance  to  be  killed,  19  9  ;  watched 
by  Agravaine,  19  13  ;  is  discovered  with 
Launcelot,  20  3  ;  to  die  by  fire,  20  8 ; 
rescued  by  Launcelot,  ib. ;  returns  to 
Arthur,  20  17  ;  her  truth  to  Arthur 
declared  by  Launcelot,  ib. ;  Mordred 
desires  to  wed  her,  21  i  ;  a  nun  at 
Almesbury,  21 7 ;  swoons  on  seeing 
Launcelot,  21  9  ;  dies,  21  II 

Guiart  le  Petite,  Sir,  19  n 

Guienne,  King  of,  20  1 8 

Guildford,  18  9 

Gumret  le  Petit,  8  9 

Guy,  Sir,  10  36 

Guynas  le  Bloy,  a  knight,  1  17 

Gwenbaus,  a  wise  clerk,  1  1 1 

Gwimiart  de  Bloi,  1  14 

Gwinas,  Sir,  a  knight,  1  15 

Hard  Rock,  castle  of,  941 

Harlon,  King,  156 

Harry  le  Fise  Lake,  Sir,  rebukes  Breuse, 

10  53,  19  ii,  205 
Harsouse  le  Berbuse,  a  knight,  10  39 
Harvis  de  les  Marches,  a  knight,  10  39 
Hebes  le  Renoumes,  a  squire  to  Tristram, 

8  9  ;  knighted  by  Tristram,  8  10  ;  made 

Earl  of  Comange,  20  1 8 
Hectimere,  Sir,  19  n 
Hector,    an    ancestor,    5  10 ;     chronicles 

respecting,  20  17 
Helake,  Sir,  10  63 
Heleine,  Queen,  6  i 
Helin  le  Blank,  son  of  Bors  and  knight  of 

the  Round  Table,  12  9 
Helior  le    Preuse,  Sir,  robs  Epinogris    of 

his  lady,  1083 

Helius,  Sir,  story  of,  10  61,  64 
Hellaine  le  Blank,  Sir,  19  II 
Hellawes,  a  sorceress,  615 
Hellias  le  Grose,  164 
Hemison,  Sir,  of  his  fight  with  Tristram, 
9  42  ;  his  death,  9  43  ;  buried  by  Morgan 
le  Fay,  ib. 
Herawd,  Lord,  5  7 


522 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Heringdale,  Lord,  5  7 

Herlew»  le  Berbcus,  the  story  of,  2  12 

Hermance  of  the  Red   City,  King,  of  his 

lying  in  state  in  his  ship  with  a  letter  in 

his  hand,  10  59  ;    the  avenging  of  his 

death  undertaken,  ib. ;    of  the  manner 

of  his  death,  10  61  ;  his  last  letter,  10 

6z 

Hermel,  Duke,  2  16 
Hermind,  Sir,  brother  of  King  Hermance 

10  63  ;  is  slain,  20  8 
Hermonie,  country  of,  5  2 
Hernox,  Earl,  17  8 
Hervin,  16  14 
Hervis  de  Revel,  Sir,  2  10  ;  chosen  to  be 

a  knight  of  the  Round  Table,  44 
Hervise  de  la  Forest  Savage,  Sir,  19  1 1 
Hew  de  la  Montaine,  9  28 
Hewgon,  Sir,  10  39 
Hontzlake   of   Wentland,   Sir,    killed    by 

King  Pellinore,  3  12 
Howell,   Sir,  Duke  of  Brittany,  Arthur's 

cousin,  65;  his  daughter  married,  8  2  ; 

welcomes   Tristram,    835;   offers    his 

kingdom  to  Tristram,  8  36,  18  22 
Hue  of  the  Red  Castle,  Sir,  his  extortions, 

4  26  ;  conquered  by  Uwaine  and  ordered 

to  Arthur's  court,  4  27 
Humber,  4  2  ;  bank  of,  10  59 
Hungary,  land  of,  19  10 
Huntress,  a,  shoots  Launcelot,  18  21 
Hurlame,      King,     kills     King     Labor, 

173 

Ider,  Sir,  5  2 

Idres  of  Cornwall,  King,  1  12,  14,  15,  18 

Idrus,  Sir,  5  6 

Igraine,  both  fair  and  wise,  1  I  ;  King 
Uther  ill  for  love  of  her,  ib. ;  Merlin's 
prophecy  concerning,  1  2 ;  marries 
King  Uther  on  the  death  of  her  husband 
the  Duke  of  Tintagil,  ib. ;  her  husband 
the  king  dies,  1  4  j  of  her  son  Arthur, 
18 

Inde,  country  of,  5  2 

Ireland,  1  8  ;  King  of,  42,  24,  58;  cry 
made  in,  7  26,  8  i  ;  Queen  of,  8  5,  6  ; 
no  such  harping  heard  before  in,  as 
Tristram's,  8  8 

Ironside,  Sir,  the  Red  Knight  of  the  Red 
Launds,  7  23  ;  to  be  ready  with  all  his 
knights,  7  26 ;  made  knight  of  the 
Round  Table,  735,  183 

Isle  of  Longtainse,  King  of,  4  2 

Isoud  la  Blanche  Mains,  daughter  of  King 
Howel  of  Brittany,  835;  marries 
Tristram,  836;  in  Petit  Britain  with 
Tristram,  9  44 

Israel,  people  of,  17  13 

Italy,  5  2 


(agent,  castle  of,  10  8 
erusalem,  1038,  51,  13  2O 
onas,  154 

Jordanus,  Sir,  1  2  ;  Jordans,  1  3 

Joseph  of  Armathie,  2  16,  11  2,  13  3  ; 
the  shield  with  a  cross  formed  from  the 
blood  of,  13  1 1,  17  18 

Joshua,  5  10 

Joyous  Card,  the  castle  of,  Arthur  and 
Launcelot  at,  8  20 ;  Launcelot's  own 
castle,  10  52  ;  La  Beale  Isoud,  Tristram 
and  Palamidesat,  1065  ;  Tristram  with 
other  knights  brings  La  Beale  Isoud  to, 
10  80  ;  La  Beale  Isoud  and  Tristram 
frequently  at,  1088;  Tristram  returns 
to,  12  1 1  ;  Launcelot  takes  Guenever 
to,  20  8  ;  besieged,  20  10 ;  called  Dolorous 
Card,  20  17,  21  12 

Joyous  Isle,  12  7 

Jubance,  a  giant,  5  II 

Julius  Caesar,  5  I 

Kainus  le  Strange,  Sir,  a  knight  of  the 
Round  Table,  10  79 

Kay,  Sir,  tries,  ineffectually,  to  pull  out 
the  sword,  1  5  ;  Arthur's  foster-brother 
and  seneschal,  16;  fights,  In,  14,  2 
10,  4  3  ;  chosen  to  be  a  knight  of  the 
Round  Table,  4  4  ;  commanded  to  cut 
off  a  giant's  head,  5  5  ;  to  wait  on  the 
king,  58;  his  shield  on  a  tree,  69;  his 
life  saved  by  Launcelot,  6  1 1  ;  in  Launce- 
lot's armour,  6  18  ;  his  treatment  of 
Beaumains,  7  i,  2,  4  ;  Tristram's  speech 
to  him,  9  15  ;  fights,  925;  his  care  for 
Uwaine,  9  38  ;  with  the  king,  10  6  ; 
fights,  10  79  ;  of  his  mockings,  11  12  ; 
his  strange  statement  to  the  king,  13  2  ; 
dines  with  the  queen,  183 

Kay  de  Stranges,  Sir,  19  1 1  ;  is  slain,  20  8 

Kehydius,  Sir,  son  of  King  Howel, 
wounded,  836;  with  Tristram,  838, 

9  10  ;  leaps  from  a  bay  window,  9  17 
Kent,  21  3 

Kink  Kenadon,  a  castle,  7  i,  34 

La  Beale  Isoud,  heals  Tristram's  wound, 
8  9  ;  is  taught  the  harp  by  Tristram,  ib. ; 
arrays  Tristram  in  his  harness,  8  10  ; 
carried  off  by  Palamides,  8  30  ;  escapes 
from  Palamides,  ib. ;  seeks  refuge  in  a 
castle,  ib.  ;  begs  Tristram  to  spare  the 
life  of  Palamides,  831;  is  put  in  a 
lazar-cote,  835;  rescued  by  Tristram 
from  the  lazar-cote,  ib. ;  writes  to 
Tristram,  9  10  ;  swoons  for  joy,  9  17  ; 
upbraided  by  Tristram,  ib.  ;  finds  Tris- 
tram in  the  garden,  9  2 1  ;  loses  Tristram, 

10  50  ;  goes  to  Joyous  Card  with  Tris- 
tram, 10  52  ;  sends  for  Dinadan,  10  56  ; 


INDEX 


523 


attends  a  tournament,  veiled,  10  68  ; 
denounces  Palamides,  10  77  ;  at  Joyous 
Card,  10  88  ;  begs  Tristram  to  excuse 
her  presence  at  a  feast,  12  1 1  ;  Tristram 
killed  in  her  presence,  19  n 
La  Beale  Regard,  a  castle,  10  37 
La  Cote  Male  Taile  (Breunor,  Sir  Dina- 
dan's  brother),  his  name  given  him  in 
mockery  by  Sir  Kay,  7  2,  9  i  ;  the 
story  of  his  evil  shapen  coat,  9  i  ;  his 
name  Breunor  le  Noire,  ib. ;  rescues 
the  queen  from  a  lion,  ib. ;  knighted, 
ik. ;  desires  to  be  called  by  all  La  Cote 
Male  Taile,  ib. ;  of  the  damsel  whom 
he  followed,  9  2 ;  mocked  by  the 
damsel,  9  3  ;  fights,  ib. ;  his  life  saved 
by  a  lady,  9  4  ;  fights,  9  5  ;  his  damsel 
called  Maledisant,  96;  fights,  9  7  ;  is 
given  the  castle  of  Pendragon,  9  9  ;  made 
knight  of  the  Round  Table,  ib.  ;  marries 
Maledisant,  ib.  ;  dines  with  the  queen, 

183 

Labor,  King,  17  3 

Ladinas,  a  knight  of  France,  In 

Ladinas  de  la  Rouse,  a  knight,  1  17 

Ladinas  of  the  Forest  Savage,  Sir,  19  I 

Lady  Day,  10  34 

Lake,  King  of  the,  4  4 

Lake,  Lady  of  the,  1  25  ;  her  death,  2  3  ; 
buried,  ib. 

Lambaile,  Earl  of,  1049,  19  " 

Lambegus,  Sir,  of  his  attempt  to  rescue  La 
Beale  Isoud  from  Palamides,  8  30 ; 
cared  for  by  Tristram,  831;  helps  to 
pull  up  Tristram  from  the  rocks  by 
towels,  835;  is  slain,  20  8 

Lambeth,  Launcelot  at,  19  4 

Lamiel  of  Cardiff,  Sir,  a  great  lover,  19  n 

Lamorak  de  Galis,  Sir,  1  24  ;  the  third 
best  knight,  7  13  ;  overthrows  thirty 
knights,  7  35  ;  of  the  thirty  knights  he 
conquered,  8  33  ;  Tristram  declines  to 
fight  with  him,  ib. ;  sends  a  magic  horn 
to  King  Mark,  8  34 ;  son  of  King 
Pellinore,  8  38  ;  meets  Tristram  in 
Wales,  it. ;  does  great  deeds,  839;  his 
meeting  with]  a  hermit,  8  40  ;  meets 
Launcelot,  it. ;  kills  Sir  Frol,  841; 
fights  with  Belliance,  it. ;  fights  Tris- 
tram, 9  ii  ;  cares  for  Kehydius,  9  12  5 
fights  with  Meliagaunce,  9  13  ;  jousts 
with  Arthur,  9  14 ;  of  his  Cornish 
speech,  10  8  ;  denounces  and  fights  with 
King  Mark,  it.  ;  fights  with  Palamides, 
10  19  ;  fights,  10  21,  44  ;  of  his  murder, 
10  54,  5« 

Lanceor,  Sir,  his  death,  2  5  ;  his  lady  kills 
herself,  26;  his  tomb,  2  7  ;  of  Merlin's 
prophecy  concerning  his  place  of  burial, 
105 


Landes,  Earl  of  the,  20  18 

Landok,  Duke  of,  20  18 

Lardans,  a  knight,  1  14 

Launcelot  de  Lake,  Sir,  his  name  in  gold 
on  a  tomb,  28  ;  destroys  a  bed,  2  19  ; 
of  his  love  for  Guenever,  3  i  ;  his 
promise,  5  2  ;  in  battle,  5  7  i  his  great 
prowess,  6  i,  7  ;  his  adventure  with  a 
damsel,  67;  fights  with  and  kills 
Turquine,  6  8  ;  kills  the  porter  of  a 
castle,  6  10  ;  kills  two  giants  and  re- 
leases many  ladies,  6  1 1  ;  leaves  his 
room  window  by  a  sheet  to  save  Sir 
Kay,  ib.  ;  disguises  himself  and  fights, 
6  12  ;  his  adventure  with  a  lady,  6  14  ; 
in  the  Chapel  Perilous,  615;  climbs  a 
tree  for  a  lady  and  kills  her  husband,  6 
16  ;  compels  Pedivere  to  carry  a  lady's 
body  and  head  to  Guenever,  617;  over- 
throws fifty  knights,  735;  rescues 
Gawaine,  8  28  ;  fights,  9  5,  29  ;  fights 
with  Tristram,  9  34,  10  5  ;  brings 
Tristram  to  court,  10  6  ;  brings  King 
Mark  to  Arthur,  10  15;  fights,  1041, 
45,  69,  76,  79  ;  delivers  a  lady  from 
enchantment,  11  I  ;  slays  a  dragon,  ib. ; 
deceived  by  Dame  Brisen,  11  2  ;  of  hi' 
dealings  with  Elaine,  11  2  ;  his  son 
Galahad  born,  11  3  ;  is  mad  for  two 
years,  118;  is  sought,  11  10  ;  his  ad- 
venture in  the  pavilion,  12  i  ;  rescues 
his  host  Sir  Bliant,  12  2  ;  injured  by  a 
boar,  12  3  ;  made  sport  of  as  a  madman, 
ib. ;  found  in  a  garden  by  Elaine,  12  4  ; 
healed  by  the  virtue  of  the  Sangreal, 
ib. ;  a  castle  given  him,  12  5  ;  calls 
himself  Le  Chevaler  Mai  Fet,  12  6  ;  he 
names  the  island  on  which  his  castle 
stands  Joyous  Isle,  ib. ;  jousts  with 
Percivale,  12  7 ;  announces  himself 
as  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  12  8  ;  wel- 
comed back  at  the  Court  at  Game- 
lot,  12  10  ;  his  lineage,  13  7  ;  felled  by 
Galahad,  13  17  ;  his  vision  of  the 
Sangreal,  13  1 8  ;  weeps,  13  19  ;  his 
talk  with  a  hermit,  ib.  ;  enters  on  the 
quest  of  the  Sangreal,  15  2  ;  his  vision 
of  the  crowned  man,  153;  hi»  vision 
expounded  by  a  hermit,  15  4 ;  fights, 
15  5  ;  his  vision  expounded  by  a  recluse, 
15  6  ;  finds  the  Head  body  of  a  lady  in  a 
ship,  17  13  ;  meets  his  son,  ib. ;  parts 
with  his  son,  17  14  ;  arrives  at  a  castle 
in  which  is  the  Sangreal  defended 
by  two  lions,  /'£.;  of  his  adventures  in 
the  castle,  17  15  ;  in  a  trance,  17  16  ; 
is  told  of  his  achievement  of  the 
Sangreal  in  the  castle,  it. ;  dis- 
missed by  Guenever,  18  2 ;  it  the 
queen's  champion,  18  7 }  is  loved  by 


5^4 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Elaine  le  Blank,  18  9  ;  fights,  18  n  ; 
of  hi»  wound,  18  12  ;  nursed  by  Elaine 
le  Blank,  18  15  ;  he  makes  his  wound 
burst  again,  18  17  ;  receives  a  letter 
from  Elaine  le  Blank,  18  20 ;  makes 
peace  with  the  queen,  ib.  ;  fights,  18 
23;  rides  in  a  wood-cart,  194;  pulls 
the  iron  bars  from  the  queen's  window, 
196  ;  entrapped  by  Meliagrance,  19  7  ; 
released  from  his  prison  by  a  lady,  198; 
his  fight  with  Meliagrance,  19  9  ;  heals 
a  knight  miraculously,  19  12 ;  dis- 
covered in  the  queen's  chamber,  20  3  ; 
attacked  by  knights,  20  4  ;  rescues  the 
queen  from  death  and  flies  with  her 
to  Joyous  Card,  20  8  ;  besieged  in  the 
castle  of  Joyous  Card  by  Arthur,  20 
10  ;  talks  with  Arthur  from  the  castle 
walls,  20  1 1  ;  returns  Guenever  to 
Arthur,  20  14  j  Gawaine  quarrels  with, 
20  1 6  ;  embarks  at  Cardiff,  20  18  ; 
makes  his  knights  to  be  great  lords, 
ib. ;  his  lands  wasted  by  Arthur,  20 
19  ;  fights  with  Gawaine,  20  22  ;  at 
Dover,  21 8  ;  meets  Guenever  in  a 
nunnery,  21 9 ;  dismissed  by  the 
queen,  ib.  ;  has  a  vision,  21  10  ;  buries 
Guenever,  21  n;  dies,  21  12 }  is 
buried,  21  13 
Laurel,  Dame,  marries  Agravaine,  7 

35 

Lavaine,  Sir,  18  9  ;  fights  with  Arthur, 
1823;  dresses  Launcelot's  wound,  19 
6  ;  made  knight  of  the  Round  Table, 
19i3;  marries  Dame  Felelolie,  it.  5 
made  Earl  of  Arminak,  20  1 8 

Le  Chevaler  du  Chariot,  a  name  acquired 
by  Launcelot  through  his  riding  in  a 
cart,  195,  13 

Le  Chevaler  Mai  Fet,  a  name  assumed  by 
Launcelot,  12  6,  10 

Leodegrance  of  Cameliard,  King,  1  18  ; 
father  of  Guenever,  3  i  ;  holds  the 
Table  Round,  ib. 

Leomie,  Sir,  a  king,  5  8 

Lianour,  Duke,  13  15 

Lile  of  Avilion,  Lady,  2  I,  4 

Limosin,  Blamor  made  Duke  of,  20  1 8 

Linet,  damsel,  7  13;  hears  mass,  7  15  ; 
begs  Bcaurmins  not  to  blow  the  great 
horn,  ib.  ;  encourages  Beaumains,  7  17  j 
sticks  a  knight's  head  on  again,  7  22  ; 
her  care  of  Gareth  (Beaumains),  7  26  ; 
known  as  the  damsel  Savage,  733; 
makes  peace  between  Gawaine  and 
Gareth,  ib. ;  marries  Gaheris,  735 

Lionel,  Sir,  sent  on  an  embassy  to  Lucius, 
5  6  ;  departs  from  the  court  with  his 
uncle  Sir  Launcelot,  6  i  ;  his  adventure 
by  the  apple-tree,  ib. ;  his  shield  on  a 


tree,  6  9  ;  undertakes  to  find  Tristram,  9 
36  ;  leaves  the  queen,  11  10  ;  has  sought 
Launcelot  for  two  years,  12  9  ;  his 
jeopardy,  16  9  ;  apparently  dead,  16  10  ; 
fights  his  brother  Sir  Bors,  16  14  jyf . ; 
crowned  King  of  France,  20  18  ;  rides 
to  London  to  find  Launcelot,  21  10  ; 
is  slain,  ib. 

Liones,  Dame,  sister  to  Dame  Linet,  7  13  ; 
sends  a  cup  of  gold  and  various  kinds  of 
food  to  a  hermitage,  7  14  ;  Beaumains 
does  battle  for,  7  16  ;  begs  her  brother 
Gringamore  to  restore  a  dwarf  to  Beau- 
mains,  7  20  ;  of  her  love  for  Beaumains 
(Gareth),  7  2 1  ;  received  at  Arthur's 
Court,  7  26  j  lends  Gareth  a  magic 
ring,  7  27  ;  marries  Gareth,  735 

Liones,  country  of,  8  2  ;  towns  and  castles 
of,  10  50 

Lionors,  an  earl's  daughter,  Arthur's  love 
for,  1  17 

Lionses,  Lord,  1  10,  15 

Lisais,  a  king  or  knight,  15  4 

Listinoise,  country  of,  10  52  ;  King  of, 
1066 

Little  Britain,  King  of,  5  2  ;  realm  of,  ib. 

Logris,  realm  of,  839,  9  19,  38,  10  51; 
England,  12  5  ;  17  2,  3,  16,  20 

Lombardy,  warriors  of,  5  2,  9  ;  lords  of,  5 
10 

Lonazep,  castle  of,  10  52,  58  ;  well  of, 
1065 

London,  1  4,  7,  14  10  ;  Arthur  at,  2  i  ; 
3  i  ;  Guenever  gives  a  dinner  at,  18  3  ; 
Arthur  returns  to,  18  13  ;  tower  of,  21 

i,  3 

Longius,  2  16 
Loraine,  5  9  ;  a  duke  of,  5  10  ;  duchy  of, 

5  12 

Loraine  le  Savage,  a  knight,  815 

Lot,  King  of  Lothian  and  Orkney,  marries 
Margawse,  Gawaine's  mother,  1  2,  9  ; 
swears  to  bring  five  thousand  men  on 
horseback,  1  12  ;  fights,  1  14  ;  his 
question  to  the  kings,  1  16  ;  dies  in 
battle,  2  10 ;  buried  in  St.  Stephen's 
Church  in  Camclot,  ib. ;  his  death  to  be 
avenged,  213;  father  of  Gareth,  7  13 

Lovel,  Sir,  19 1 1  j  prepares  to  seize  Launce- 
lot, 20  2 

Lucan  the  butler,  Sir,  son  of  Duke  Corneus, 
1  10  ;  rescued  by  Brastias,  1  14 ;  knight 
of  the  Round  Table,  9  37,  10  74, 
18  ii,  23,  19  ii;  his  reception  of 
the  damsel  sent  with  a  message  from 
Launcelot  to  Arthur,  20  19  ;  his  advice 
to  Arthur,  21  4  ;  wounded,  ib. ;  his 
terrible  death,  21  5 

Lucius,  Emperor,  sends  to  Arthur  for 
tribute,  5  i,  2  j  of  his  battle  against 


INDEX 


525 


Arthur,  5  8  j  killed  by  Arthur  in  battle, 
,k. 
Lyly,  the  King  of,  slain,  6  7 

Maccabaeus,  5  10 

Macedone,  5  2 

Madok  de  la  Montaine,  Sir,  9  28 

Mador  de  la  Porte,  Sir,  6  6  ;  fights,  6  7, 
1 8,  1045  ;  accuses  Guenever  of  poison- 
ing, 18  3  ;  fights  against  Launcelot,  the 
queen's  champion,  18  7  j  in  a  chamber 
at  Carlisle  to  take  Launcelot,  20  2 

Magons,  traitors  of,  10  50 

Magouns  (Arundel  Castle,  in  Sussex), 
Anglides  and  her  son  Alisander  in,  10 

33 

Maidens,  castle  of,  9  25,  32  ;  Arthur  at,  9 
35,  10  58  ;  called  by  Galahad  a  cursed 
castle,  13  15 

Maledisant,  a  damsel,  her  abuse  of  La  Cote 
Male  Taile,  9  3  ;  abuses  Launcelot,  9 
5  ;  is  grieved,  9  6  ;  is  named  Bienpen- 
sant  by  Launcelot,  9  7  ;  marries  Breunor 
le  Noire  (La  Cote  Male  Taile),  9  9  ;  is 
called  Beauvivante,  ib, 

Malegrine,  Sir,  7  26,  27 

Maleore,  Sir  Thomas,  21  13 

Malgrin,  a  great  fighter  on  foot,  his  fight 
with  Alisander,  10  36 

Manassen,  his  release  from  the  knight  who 
would  drown  him,  4  15 

Manuel,  the  daughter  of,  15  4 

Marches,  1 1 8 

Margawse,  wife  of  King  Lot,  1  2 

Marhalt,  King  of  Ireland,  10  66 

Marhaus,  Sir,  son  of  King  Marhalt,  fights, 
4  17,  25  ;  a  circlet  of  gold  given  him,  4 
25  j  kills  a  giant  in  the  water,  ib.  ;  to 
wait  on  the  person  of  Arthur,  58;  his 
shield  hangs  on  a  tree,  6  9  ;  sent  to  do 
battle  for  the  Cornish  tribute,  8  4  j 
fights  Tristram,  8  7  ;  dies,  8  8 

Mariet  de  la  Roche,  a  knight,  1  17 

Mark,  a  king  of  Cornwall,  sets  up  a  fine 
tomb,  2  7  j  his  sister  Elizabeth  married, 
8  i  ;  owes  tribute,  8  4  ;  gives  Tristram 
knighthood,  85;  welcomes  Tristram, 
88;  sends  Tristram  to  Ireland,  ib. ;  his 
quarrel  with  Tristram,  8  14  ;  weds  La 
Beale  Isoud,  8  29  ;  his  wife  demanded 
by  Palamides,  8  30  ;  his  wife  brought 
back  by  Tristram,  832;  is  attacked  by 
Tristram,  ib. ;  declines  to  fight  Pala- 
mides, 9  19  ;  fights  with  Lamorak,  10 
8  ;  threatened  by  Berluse,  10  9  j  attacked 
by  Berluse,  10  10  ;  mocks  Dinadan,  10 
1 1  ;  runs  away,  ib.  ;  kills  Amant,  10 

14  ;  brought  by  Launcelot  to  Arthur,  10 

15  ;  makes  peace  with  Tristram,  10  22  ; 
called  King  Fox,  10  26  ;  sends  letters, 


ib. ;  murders  his  brother,  10  32 ;  ii 
tricked  by  Sadok,  10  33  ;  his  attempt  to 
kill  Sadok,  1035  ;  his  attempt  to  kill 
Tristram,  10  50  ;  imprisons  Tristram, 
ib. ;  forges  papal  letters,  10  51;  again 
imprisons  Tristram,  ib. ;  is  imprisoned, 
ib.  ;  how  he  slew  Tristram  as  he  harped 
before  La  Beale  Isoud,  19  n  ;  is  slain, 
ib. 

Marrok,  Sir,  5  8  ;  seven  years  a  werwolf, 
19  n 

Marsil,    King    of    Pomitain,    fights,    10 

44 

Mary,  Saint,  16  9,  17  5,  9 

Masauke,  Selises  made  Earl  of,  20  1 8 

Matto  le  Breune,  Sir,  of  his  madness,  9  19 

Maurel,  Sir,  5  7 

Meleaus  de  Lile,  Sir,  19  n 

Meliagaunce,  Sir,  son  of  King  Bagdemagus, 
727,  28,  9  12  ;  of  his  love  for  Guen- 
ever, ib. ;  fights  with  Lamorak,  9  13  ; 
of  his  meeting  with  Launcelot,  9  13  ; 
his  love  for  Guenever,  19  i  ;  seizes 
Guenever,  192;  sets  archers  to  kill 
Launcelot's  horse,  19  3  ;  takes  Launce- 
lot in  a  trap,  19  7 ;  conquered  by 
Launcelot,  19  9 

Melias  de  Lile,  Sir,  13  12  ;  fights,  13  13  ; 
made  an  earl,  20  1 8 

Meliodas,  King  of  Liones,  married  to 
Elizabeth,  sister  of  King  Mark,  8  i  5 
entrapped  by  lady  who  loved  him,  ib.  ; 
grants  a  boon  to  his  son  Tristram, 

8  * 
Melion  de  Tartare,  Sir,  11  10 

Melion  of  the  Mountain,  Sir,  19 11, 
202 

Meliot,  a  castle,  2  12 

Meliot  de  Logres,  Sir,  a  cousin  of  Nimue, 
813;  is  miraculously  cured  by  Launce- 
lot, 615;  fights,  18nj  prepares  to 
seize  Launcelot,  20  2 

Melot  de  la  Roche,  stricken  down  by 
King  Lot,  1  14 

Menaduke,  Sir,  20  5  ;  made  an  earl,  20  1 8 

Merlin,  as  a  beggar,  1  I  ;  his  prediction, 
1  2  ;  Arthur  delivered  to  him,  13;  has 
Arthur  christened,  ib. ;  comes  to  Car- 
lion,  18;  provides  food  for  the  army, 
In;  plans  a  battle,  1  14;  his  warning 
to  Arthur,  1  17  ;  leaves  Arthur,  ib. ; 
how  he  described  Arthur's  battles  to  his 
master  Bleise,  ib.  ;  disguises  himself  in 
sheepskins  and  great  boots  and  begs  a 
gift  of  Arthur,  ib.  ;  he  predicts  the  death 
of  eleven  kings,  1  18  ;  as  a  child  and  as 
a  very  old  man  meets  and  talks  with 
Arthur,  1 20 ;  brings  Arthur  and  his 
mother  together,  121;  saves  Arthur's 
life,  1  24  ;  aids  Arthur  to  get  the  sword 


526 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Excalibur,  1  25  ;  advises  Arthur  not  to 
part  with  the  scabbard,  ib.  ;  tells  Arthur 
of  a  damsel,  2  4  ;  predicts  the  battle  be- 
ween  Launcelot  and  Tristram,  28; 
vanishes,  //>.  ;  aids  Balin  and  his  brother 
to  take  King  Ryons,  2  9  ;  deceives 
King  Lot,  2  10  ;  writes  an  inscription 
in  gold  upon  Balin's  tomb,  2  19  ;  makes 
a  magic  bed,  ib.  ;  warns  Arthur  that 
Launcelot  shall  love  Guenever,  and 
that  she  will  love  Launcelot,  3  i  ; 
goes  to  fetch  Guenever,  ib.  ;  sent 
by  Arthur  to  find  knights  of  prowess, 
3  2 ;  falls  in  a  dotage  on  a  lady 
of  the  court,  4  i  ;  his  predictions,  ib.  ; 
a  devil's  son,  ib. ;  is  lured  beneath 
a  great  stone,  ib.  ;  the  endeavour  to 
restore  him  by  Bagdemagus,  4  5  ;  of  his 
delivery  of  King  Meliodas  from  prison, 
82;  he  made  the  Round  Table. 
14z 

Michael's  Mount,  St.,  5  5 

Milan,  5  12 

Miles,  a  knight,  1  2 1  5  of  his  murder,  3 

IS 

Moises  land,  the  Marquis  of,  5  II 

Mondrames,  a  worthy  man,  13  10 

Mordrains,  King,  17  4  ;  visited  by  Gala- 
had, 17  18 

Mordred,  Sir,  saved  from  the  sea,  1  27  ; 
fights  with  Launcelot,  6  7  ;  fights,  9  3  ; 
is  sick,  9  36  ;  fights,  10  25  ;  plays  tricks 
upon  Alisander,  10  39  ;  struck  down  by 
Palamides,  10  46  ;  Percivale's  message  to, 
11 12  ;  fights,  18  ii,  23  ;  tells  Arthur 
of  the  attempt  to  seize  Launcelot,  20  7  ; 
made  chief  ruler  of  England,  20  19  j 
wishes  to  wed  Guenever,  21  i  ;  his 
party  overthrown  by  Arthur,  21 2  ; 
killed  by  Arthur,  21  4 

Morgan  le  Fay  (Arthur's  sister),  put  to 
school  in  a  nunnery,  1  2  ;  at  a  burial,  2 
1 1  j  her  false  treatment  of  Arthur,  4  8  ; 
her  hatred  of  Arthur,  4  n  ;  attempts 
to  kill  her  husband,  4  13  ;  changes  her- 
self to  a  stone,  4  14  ;  adventure  with 
Launcelot,  6  3  ;  gives  Tristram  a  shield, 
941;  buries  Hemison,  943;  heals 
Alisander,  10  37  ;  Launcelot  rescues  a 
lady  enchanted  by  her,  11  i  ;  one  of  the 
queens  in  the  ship  with  Arthur's  body, 
216 

Morganore,  a  king,  1  16,  19  n 

Morganore,  Sir,  1  14  ;  stricken  down  by 
Tristram,  8  19 

Morians,  a  knight,  1  17 

Moris,  Sir,  5  7 

Moris  de  la  Roche,  1  15 

Morris,  forest  of,  9  39 

Mortaise,  water  of,  7  24,  14  8,  17  13 


Nabon  le  Noire,  Sir,  a  giant  and  lord  of 
an  island,  8  37  ;  slain  by  Tristram, 

8.39 
Nacien,  a  hermit,  13  5  j  his  instructions 

for  following  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal, 

138,  154;  his  speech  to  Ector,  164; 

his  wondrous  adventures,  17  4 
Nanowne    le    Petite,    Sir,   his    shameful 

death,  837 

Nappus,  a  holy  man,  15  4 
Naram,  a  knight,  1  26 
Nauntes,  city  of,  1  1 8 
Nentres  of  Garlot,  King,  marries  Elaine, 

12,  8,  12,  1814,  18,  19  1 1 
Nero,    1  1 8  j    brother    to    King    Ryons, 

29 

Neroreneus,  Sir,  16  5  ;  made  an  earl,  20  1 8 

Nerovens  de  Lile,  Sir,  meets  Launcelot,  9 
5,  19  ii 

Nigramous,  a  castle,  615 

Nimue,  a  lady,  813;  Merlin  in  a  dotage 
upon,  4  i  ;  goes  with  Merlin  to  Ben- 
wick,  ib. ;  in  Cornwall,  ib. ;  decoys 
Merlin  under  a  great  stone  by  magic,  ;'£.; 
throws  an  enchantment  upon  a  knight, 
4  22  ;  her  love  for  Sir  Pelleas,  4  23  ; 
meets  Tristram,  9  16  ;  her  denunciation 
of  Pinel,  18  8  ;  in  the  ship  which  bore 
the  dead  body  of  Arthur,  21  6 

Normandy,  Duke  of,  20  18 

Norfolk,  21  3 

Northgalis,  Queen  of,  63;  King  of,  6  4  ; 
fights,  66,  16  ;  letter  to  the  Queen  of, 
1035  j  the  party  of  the  King  of,  fight 
that  of  Bagdemagus,  10  41  ;  jousting  by 
those  of,  10  45  ;  the  King  of,  gives 
Tristram  his  horse,  10  69  ;  a  lady  be- 
witched by  the  Queen  of,  11  I  ;  King 
of,  188,  17,  23  ;  the  Queen  of,  in  the 
ship  which  bore  the  body  of  Arthur,  21  6 

Northumberland,  Merlin's  master,  Bleise, 
dwells  in,  1  17  ;  Balin  born  in,  2  2, 
3,  19,  726,  1052;  King  of,  18  10, 
23 

Ontzlake,  Sir,  is  much  loved  by  the  people, 

47;  wounded,  48;  Sir  Accolon  fights 

for,  ib. 

Orgulous,  a  castle,  9  3 
Orkney,  Queen  of,  her  sons,  725;  rebukes 

Arthur,  ib. ;   at    a   tournament,   7  27  ; 

Gareth  of,  7  32 
Osanna,  Sir,  4  25 
Ossaise  of  Surluse,  Sir,  fights  with  Gaheris, 

1048 

Out  Isles,  Queen  of,  6  3 
Ozana  le  Cure  Hardy,  Sir,  10  1 1  ;  smitten 

down,  10i3,  18  ii,  19  i 

Palamides  the  Saracen,  Sir,  in  the  will  to  be 


INDEX 


527 


christened,  89  ;  rescues  dame  Bragwaine, 

8  29  }  does  service  for  La  Beale  Isoud, 
ib. ;    demands    and    receives    La    Beale 
Isoud,   10  30  ;    attacked  by  Lambegus, 
it.  j  loses  La  Beale  Isoud,  it.  ;  attacked 
by  Tristram,  10  31  ;  his  life  begged  by 
La  Beale  Isoud,   ib.  ;     fights   with    La 
Cote    Male    Taile,    9  3  ;    follows    the 
questing  beast,  9  12  ;  fights  with  Tris- 
tram and  Lamorak,  ib.  ;  in  great  trouble, 

9  32  ;  fights,  9  33,  34  ;  in  prison,  9  40  ; 
promises    to    fight     Tristram,    10  2  ; 
fights,   10    13,    18,    19,  41    ttf.,    53 ; 
hates  Tristram,   10  57 ;    fights,   10  64, 
68  ;  weeps,  10  74  ;  disguises  himself  in 
the  armour  of  another  knight,  10  76  5 
meets  Epinogris,  10  82  ;  meets  with  the 
lady  of  Epinogris,   10  83  ;    does   battle, 
it. ;  brings  Epinogris  his  lady,  10  84  ; 
fights,  back  to  back,  with  Safere  against 
many  knights   and  gentlemen,  ib. ;    is 
carried,  bound,  on  an  old  steed  to  the 
father  of  a  knight    he   had  slain,  ib.  ; 
sends   a   message  to   Tristram,   ib. ;   of 
his  rescue  by  Launcelot,  10  85  ;  sits  by 
a  well  and  begins  to  make  a  rhyme  of 
La    Beale    Isoud,    10  86  ;    is   told    by 
Tristram  that  he  must  die,  ib.  ;  a  day 
fixed  for  his  battle  with  Tristram,   10 
87  ;  why  no  fight  took  place,  10  88  ; 
is    attacked    by  Tristram,    12  12  ;    he 
refuses  to   fight   Tristram,    ib.  ;    fights 
with   Tristram,   12  13  ;   christened    by 
the  suffragan  of  Carlisle,  12  14  ;  dines 
with    Guenever,    18  3  ;    fights,   18  10, 
23  5  made  duke,  20  1 8 

Pampoille,  country  of,  5  2 

Paradise,  water  from,  5  10,  17  5 

Pardiak,  Earl  of,  20  1 8 

Paris,  Launcelot  takes  prisoners  to,  5,  6,  8  ; 
"  Paris  the  rich,"  5  10 

Pase,  Earl  of,  10  37 

Passe-Brewel,  Tristram's  horse,  9  27 

Patrise,  Sir,  poisoned  whilst  dining  with 
Guenever,  183;  how  and  why  poisoned 
by  Pinel,  18  8 

Pa  via,  5  12 

Payarne,  country  of,  1  10 

Pedivere,  "swaps  "  ofFa  lady's  head,  6  17  ; 
compelled  by  Launcelot  to  carry  the 
lady's  head  and  body  to  Guenever,  ib. 

Pedivere  of  the  Straight  Marches,  11  5  ; 
fights,  114 

Pellam,  King  of  Listeneise,  gives  a  feast  to 
all  knights  accompanied  by  their  ladies, 
2  14;  fights  with  Balin,  2  15  ;  injured 
by  a  miraculous  spear,  2  1 5  ;  healed  of 
his  long  illness  by  Galahad,  2  16 

Pellandris,  Sir,  9  8 

Pelleas,  Sir,  fights,  4  18  j  his  love  for  the 


Lady  Ettard,  4  2O  ;  wins  the  gold  circlet 
in  the  jousts  and  presents  it  to  the 
Lady  Ettard,  ib.  ;  of  the  indignities 
suffered  by  him  through  his  love,  4  21  ; 
cured  of  his  fruitless  love,  4  22  ; 
of  his  love  for  Nimue,  4  23  j  made 
a  knight  of  the  Round  Table,  4  28  ; 
one  of  the  four  that  achieved  the  San- 
greal,  ib. ;  wedded  Nimue,  18  8  ;  fights, 
18  23  ;  rides  with  the  queen,  19  i 

Pelles,  King,  father  of  Elaine  the  mother 
of  Galahad,  11  2  ;  sends  Elaine  to  the 
castle  of  Case,  ib. ;  the  Maimed  King, 
17  5  ;  the  reason  he  was  maimed,  ib. ; 
tells  Launcelot  of  his  daughter's  death, 
17  16,  19 

Pellinore,  King,  followed  the  questing 
beast,  1  19  ;  fights  with  Arthur,  1  23  j 
an  enchantment  thrown  upon  him  by 
Merlin  to  save  Arthur's  life,  1  24  ;  was 
slain  by  Gawaine,  2 10 ;  his  dealings 
with  a  maid,  83;  his  adventure  with 
two  knights,  812;  summoned  by  King 
Arthur  to  aid  him,  4  2  ;  slain  through 
treason,  11  10 

Pellinore,  Sir,  a  knight,  fights  with  Tris- 
tram, 925 

Pellogris,  smitten  down  by  Launcelot, 
98 

Pellounes,  Sir,  9  27 

Pelownes,  a  castle,  10  84,  85 

Pentecost,   16,   427,  28,   615,  7  I,  23, 

12  n,  137,  18zi 

Percard,  Sir,  78;  the  Black  Knight, 
7  12 

Percivale  de  Galis,  Sir,  1  24  ;  King  Pelli- 
nore's  son,  1023;  knighted  by  the 
king,  ib. ;  of  the  dumb  woman  and 
how  she  directed  him  to  his  seat,  ib. ; 
releases  Tristram  from  prison,  1051; 
one  of  the  best  knights,  10  53  ;  a 
knight  of  the  Round  Table,  ib. ;  tricked 
by  Breuse,  ib.  ;  swoons,  10  54  ;  under- 
takes to  seek  Launcelot,  11  10  ;  begged 
to  remain  at  home  by  his  mother,  ib. ; 
he  avenges  the  death  of  his  servant,  11 

1 1  ;  releases  a  knight  chained  to  a  stone 
pillar,  11 12  ;  his  fight  with  Ector,  11 

13  ;  miraculously  healed   by  the  virtues 
of   the    Sangreal,    11  14  ;   jousts    with 
Launcelot,  12  7  ;  recognises  Launcelot, 

12  8  ;    fails  to   draw  out  a  mysterious 
»word,  13  3  ;  fights,  13  17  ;  his  aunt  a 
recluse,  14  i  ;  attacked  by  a  fiend,  14  6  ; 
his  adventure  with  a  lion  and  serpent, 
ib. ;    his    dream,   ib.  ;    his    dream    ex- 
pounded, 14  7  ;    his   adventure  with   a 
lady,  148,  9io;    fights,  178;    finds 
tombs,  17  12  ;  dies,  17  23 

Perigot,  Earl  of,  20  18 


528 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Perimones,  Sir,  the  Red  Knight,  7  12  5 
fights  with  Ector,  7  28  j  wishes  to 
be  chief  butler  at  a  feast,  735;  slain, 
208 

Perin  de  la  Montaine,  a  knight,  10  39 

Perin  de  Mountbeliard,  slain  by  an  invisible 
knight,  213 

Peris  de  Forest  Savage,  a  destroyer  of 
ladies,  6  10 

Persant  of  Inde,  Sir,  fights,  7  12  ;  the 
Blue  Knight,  7  23  5  does  homage  with  a 
hundred  knights  to  Gareth,  7  35  ;  dines 
with  Guenever,  18  3  ;  rides  with  the 
queen,  19  I 

Persides  de  Bloise,  Sir,  son  of  Pellounes, 
0  27  ;  talks  in  a  bay  window  with 
Tristram,  9  27  ;  fights  with  Palamides, 
9  28  ;  bidden  to  quarrel  no  more,  932; 
chained  to  a  stone  bridge,  11  12  j  re- 
leased by  Percivale,  ib. ;  goes  to  the 
court  of  Arthur,  ib. 

Pertolepe,  Sir,  the  Green  Knight,  7  12  ; 
begs  to  be  Gareth's  chamberlain  at  a 
feast,  7  35  ;  slain,  208 

Peschour,  King,  13  1 8 

Petchere,  Lord,  13  4 

Petersaint,  land  of,  5  12 

Petipase  of  Winchelsea,  Sir,  his  fight  with 
Tor,  3  9  ;  with  Arthur,  7  27 

Phariance,  Sir,  1  10  ;  fights,  1  15,  17 

Phelot,  Sir,  waits  at  the  foot  of  a  tree  to 
kill  Launcelot,  6  16 

Pillounes,  jousts  with  Launcelot,  9  8 

Pinel,  a  good  man  of  arms,  114 

Pinel  le  Savage,  Sir,  poisons  Patrise  with 
an  apple  intended  for  Gawaine,  18  8  ; 
flies,  ib. 

Placidas,  Sir,  fights,  1  n 

Plaine  de  Amoure,  Sir,  fights,  9  7 

Plaine  de  Force,  Sir,  fights,  97,  19  n 

Plains,  Earl  of,  16  14 

Pleasance,  land  of,  5  12 

Plenorius,  Sir,  fights,  9  7  j  a  noble  knight, 
99,  19  1 1,  205;  made  an  earl, 
20  18 

Pluere,  a  castle,  Tristram  and  La  Beale 
Isoud  in,  8  24  ;  the  strange  custom  at, 
ib. ;  Tristram's  deeds  in,  825 

Poictiers,  Duke  of,  20  1 8 

Pomitain,  island  of,  10  44 

Pope  of  Rome,  617;  counterfeit  letters 
from,  1051;  gives  orders  to  Arthur, 
20i3 

Portingale,  country  of,  5  2 

Potestate  (of  Rome),  5  8 

Pounce,  country  of,  5  2 

Priamus,  Sir,  his  ancestry,  5  his  phial 
of  water,  ib.  j  christened  ana  made  duke 
and  a  knight  of  the  Round  Table,  5  12  ; 
(lain,  20  8 


Pridam  de  Noire,  16  7  :  fights  with  Bors, 

168 
Provence,  Duke  of,  20  18 

Querne,  Duke  of,  20  18 

Raines,  Guenever  wrapped  in  cloth  of,  for 

burial,  21  1 1 

Raynold,  Sir,  fights,  6  12,  19  II 
Red  Castle,  4  26 
Red  City,  the  story  of  the  murder  of  the 

king    of,    1059,    61  ;    Palamides    the 

champion  of,  1063  ;  joy  of  the  people 

of,  10  64 

Rience  of  North  Wales,  King,  see  Ryons 
Roche-dure,  9  43 
Rochester,  bishop  of,  20  1 3 
Rock,  lady  of  the,  her  lands  seized,  4  26  j 

her  lands  restored  by  Ulwaine's  prowess, 

427 

Roerge,  Earl  of,  20  1 8 
Romans,  5  i  ;  in  battle,  5  6 
Rome,  Arthur  crowned  at,  5  12  ;  comes 

from,  6  I  ;  a  lady's  body  and  her  head 

taken  to,  6  17 

Rome,  Emperor  of,  1  23,  5  i 
Rowse,  Duke  de  la,  his  castle,  7  3 1  j  with 

a  hundred  knights,  735 
Ryons,  King,  of  North  Wales,  makes  war, 

1  17 ;   king    of  all  Ireland    and    many 

isles,  126;  trims  a  mantle  with  kings' 

beards,    and     sends     a    messenger     for 

Arthur's,  ib. ;  is  captured,  2  9 

Sadok,  Sir,  7  26  ;  spares  Alisander's  life, 
1033;  in  an  ambush,  10  50 ;  fights, 
1068  ;  made  earl,  20  18 

Safere,  Sir,  brother  of  Palamides,  7  26  ; 
a  Saracen,  10  16  ;  fights,  10  36,  45  ; 
fights  against  many  knights  for  two 
hours,  10  84  ;  imprisoned,  ib.  ;  released 
from  prison,  ib.  ;  dines  with  the  queen, 
18  3 ;  fights,  18  1 1,  23  ;  addresses  Laun- 
celot, 20  17 

Sagramore  le  Desirous,  Sir,  fights  with 
Launcelot,  613;  fights  with  Tristram, 
816,  925,  104;  fights,  1038;  seeks 
Launcelot,  11  10  ;  fights,  18  n  j  rides 
with  Guenever,  19  I 

Saint  Stephen's,  church  of,  2io;  Arthur 
and  Guenever  married  in,  3  5 

Salisbury,  2  \  I  ;  great  books  recording  the 
adventures  of  the  Sangreal  at,  17  23  ; 
Arthur  toward,  21  3 

San^       Earl,  1  17 

Sandwich,  5  2  j  Arthur  with  his  army 
embarks  at,  5  3  ;  Arthur  disembarks  at, 
5  12  ;  Launcelot  to  go  from,  in  his 
shirt,  barefoot,  20  16 


INDEX 


529 


Sangreal  (the  Holy  Graal  or  dish  used  by 
Christ  in  instituting  the  Eucharist),  quest 
of,  2  1 6  ;  book  of,  2ig;  adventures  of, 
3  i  ;  sign  of,  4  5  ;  achievement  of,  4  28  ; 
seen,  11  2,  4  ;  miraculous  healing  by,  11 
14  ;  Launcclot  placed  beside  and  healed 
by,  124  5  Galahad  to  achieve,  13  4,  7  j 
holy  vessel  of,  13  18  5  truth  of,  14  2  ; 
charity,  abstinence,  and  truth  needed 
to  attain  the  high  adventure  of,  16  4  ; 
in  a  castle  guarded  by  two  lions,  17  14  ; 
Launcelot's  adventure  of,  17  15  ;  marvels 
of,  17zo;  Galahad's  joy  of,  17zi  5  sent 
to  Galahad  in  prison,  17  22 

Sarras,  city  of,  13  10,  14  3,  17  ir,  20 

Sauseise,  Sir,  rights,  1041 

Scotland,  won  by  Arthur,  1  7  ;  King  of, 
with  six  hundred  knights,  visits  Arthur, 
18;  cry  made  through,  89;  marches 
of,  177;  king,  18  10,  19  10 

Scots,  King  of,  8  20,  22 

Segwarides,  Sir,  wounded,  8  14  ;  his  speech 
to  Tristram,  838;  made  lord  of  a 
district,  8  39  ;  a  Saracen,  10  16  j  fights, 
10  60  ;  slain,  20  8 

Selises,  Sir,  1067  ;  of  the  dolorous  tower, 
19  ii,  20  5  j  made  earl,  20  18 

Selivant,  Sir,  to  bring  a  horse  litter  for 
Launcelot,  12  i  ;  his  gratitude  to  Laun- 
celot,  12  2 

Semound  the  Valiant,  10  42 

Sentonge,  Duke  of,  20  18 

Sentraille  de  Lushon,  Sir,  helps  to  pull 
Tristram  from  the  rocks  with  towels, 
835,  19  1 1 

Servage,  Isle  of,  a  giant's  home,  837;  all 
the  people  of  the  isle  to  be  at  the  giant's 
castle,  8  39 

Servause  le  Breuse,  Sir,  19  1 1 

Sessoin,  Sessoyne,  the  place,  5  8,  10  28  ; 
vale  of,  5  8  ;  the  people,  10  28 

Siege  Perilous,  Merlin's  explanation  of,  3 
4 ;  an  inscription  on,  13  2  j  Galahad 
sits  in,  13  4  ;  made  by  Merlin,  14  2 

Simeon,  tomb  of,  17  18 

Soleise,  King  of,  4  2 

Solomon,  17  5,  6,  7 

Sorhaute,  a  city,  1  18 

Sorlouse  of  the  Forest,  fights  with  his 
brother  Brian,  3  6 

Soudan  of  Syria,  5  8 

South  Marches,  Duke  of,  4  24 

Spain,  19  10 

Spaniards,  5  2 

Spolute,  5  12 

Straight  Marches,  King  of  the,  10  <<&*>- 

Suffolk,  21  3 

Suppinabiles,  Sir,  836;  his  story  to 
Tristram,  837,  19  n 

Surlat,  earldom  of,  20  18 

VOL.  II 


Surluse,  the  country  of,  97;  Tristram 
sought  for  in,  9  40  ;  Galahalt  lord  of, 
10  40  ;  jousting  for  eight  days  in,  it. ; 
of  the  jousts  in,  10  47  ;  King  of,  10  66 

Surrey,  21  3 

Sussex,  1033,  213 

Syria,  country  of,  5  2 

Table  Round,  given  to  Arthur,  3  i  ; 
hounds  hunt  a  hart  about  it,  35;  one 
hundred  and  fifty  the  full  complement 
of,  7  i  ;  feast  of,  10  3  ;  ten  knights 
lacking,  10  68  ;  to  be  broken,  11  2  ; 
more  than  half  the  knights  of,  slain,  17 
17  ;  the  knights  of,  still  living,  come 
again  to,  18  i  ;  a  hermit  once  of  the 
fellowship  of,  18  12  ;  Arthur  sure  that 
the  fellowship  of,  is  broken  for  ever,  20 
7  ;  fellowship  broken,  20  1 7  ;  one  hundred 
and  forty  knights  of,  21  13 

Tarce,  country  of,  5  2 

Taulas,  a  giant  slain  by  Tristram,  425 

Taulurd,  a  giant,  425 

Terra bil,  castle  of,  1  I,  2,  2  6  ;  a  great 
host  before,  2  10 

Thames,  18 19  ;  Launcelot  makes  his 
horse  swim  over,  19  4 

Tintagil  Castle,  Duke  of,  1  i ;  Launcelot  at, 
6  i  r  ;  Tristram  at,  8  8  ;  King  Mark  at, 

939 

Tirre,  Sir,  his  shield  given  to  Launcelot, 
18g,  18 

Tolleme  la  Feintes,  King,  13  10 

Tor,  Sir,  apparently  a  cowherd's  son,  83; 
knighted  by  King  Arthur,  ii,  ;  proved  by 
Merlin  to  be  the  son  of  King  Pellinore, 
it. ;  meets  his  father  the  king,  84;  his 
adventure  with  a  dwarf,  3  9  ;  strikes  off 
the  head  of  Abelleus,  3  1 1  ;  chosen  to 
be  a  knight  of  the  Round  Table,  4  5  ; 
called  Sir  Tor  le  Fise  de  Vayshoure,  9 
15;  fights  with  Tristram,  ib. ;  slain, 
208 

Tor  le  Fise  Aries,  lord  of  a  castle,  10  9 

Tremble,  the  port  of,  5  12 

Trent,  1  7  j  "  Trent  water,"  1  1 1 

Trian,  Sir,  10  9 

Tristram  de  Liones,  Sir,  his  name  on  a 
tomb,  2  8  ;  of  his  killing  Marhaus,  4 
28;  overthrows  forty  knights,  735; 
why  called  Tristram,  8  i  ;  begs  his 
stepmother's  life,  8  2  ;  goes  to  France, 
8353  great  harpist,  it. ;  a  lady  loves 
him,  8  5  ;  made  knight,  it.  ;  fights 
with  and  kills  Marhaus,  8  7  j  goes  to 
Ireland  98;  plays  his  harp  and  comes 
before  'T  court,  ib.  ;  calls  himself 
Tramtrist,  it.'f  his  wound  healed  by  La 
Beale  Isoud,  89  ;  loves  La  Beale  Isoud 
and  teaches  her  to  harp,  ib,  ;  fights 

2  M 


530 


MORTE  DARTHUR 


Palamides,  8  10 ;  discovered  by  the 
queen  that  he  killed  Marhaus,  8  1 1  ; 
attacked  by  the  queen  with  a  sword,  ib. ; 
leaves  Ireland,  8  12  j  arrives  in  Corn- 
wall, 813;  attacked  by  King  Mark 
and  two  knights,  ib.  ;  fights  with  Seg- 
warides,  8  14  j  fights  with  Bleoberis, 
817;  sets  out  for  Ireland  for  King 
Mark,  819;  a  tempest  lands  him  at 
Camelot,  ib.  ;  a  lady  begs  his  aid,  8  20  ; 
arrival  in  Ireland,  8  23  ;  demands  La 
Beale  Isoud  for  King  Mark,  8  24 ; 
leaves  Ireland  with  La  Beale  Isoud,  ib.  ; 
kills  the  lady  of  Pluere  Castle,  825; 
kills  Breunor,  8  26  ;  brings  La  Beale 
Isoud  to  Cornwall,  8  28  ;  rescues  La 
Beale  Isoud  from  Palamides,  831; 
attacked  by  King  Mark,  832;  fights, 
ib.  ;  peace  with  the  king,  ib.  ;  taken 
prisoner  but  escapes,  8  34 ;  marries 
Isoud  la  Blanche  Mains,  8  36  j  kills 
Nabon,  8395  fights,  9  10  ;  saves  the 
life  of  Arthur,  9  16  j  goes  mad,  9  18  j 
is  banished  for  ten  years,  9  22  ;  his  horse 
named  Passe-Brewel,  9  27  ;  does  great 
deeds  in  fighting,  9  3 1  ;  jousts  with 
Launcelot,  9  34  j  is  imprisoned,  9  37  ; 
given  his  freedom,  9  40  j  jousts  with 
Arthur,  10  i  j  fights  with  Launcelot 
10  5  ;  Arthur  and  court  welcome  him 
10  6  ;  fights,  10  29  ;  kills  Elias,  10  30 
imprisoned  by  King  Mark,  10  50 
freed  from  prison  by  Percivale,  10  5 1 
goes  with  La  Beale  Isoud  to  Joyou* 
Gard,  10  52  ;  his  hunting  prowess,  ib.  ; 
his  ride  with  Dinadan,  10  57  ;  sees  the 
dead  knight  holding  a  letter,  10  59  ; 
fights,  10  68  j  fights  with  Launcelot 
and  Arthur,  10  69  ;  fights,  10  76  ;  re- 
buke* Palamides,  10  77  ;  his  great 
prowess,  10  79  ;  called  traitor  by  Pala- 
mides, 10  80 ;  a  wound  prevents  him 
from  fighting,  10  88  ;  his  return  to 
Joyous  Gard,  12  1 1  ;  attacks  Palamides, 
12  12  ;  fights  with  Palamides,  spares 
his  life,  and  makes  peace  with  him, 
12 14 ;  was  slain  by  King  Mark  as 
he  sat  harping  to  La  Beale  Isoud, 
19  ii 

Troilus,  20  17 

Turkey,  country  of,  5  2 

Turks,  21  13 

Turnance,  isle  of,  17  4 

Turquine,  Sir,  his  extraordinary  vigour,  6 
a ;  killed  by  Launcelot,  6  8,  9 ;  his 
prisoners  worship  Launcelot,  6  18 

Tursauk,  Earl  of,  20  1 8 

Tuscany,  warriors  of,  5  2,  9,  12 

Ulbawes  of  Surluse,  Earl,  1048,  19  II 


Ulfin,  Sir,  17  i 

Ulfius,  Sir,  seeks  and  meets  Merlin,  1  i  j 
near  Arthur  till  the  feast  of  Pentecost, 
16  j  fights,  1  10 ;  has  great  gifts,  ib.  ; 
his  horse  slain  under  him,  1  14;  aided 
by  Arthur,  ib.  ;  denounces  Queen 
Igraine,  1  21 

Urbine,  city  of,  5  12 

Urien,  10  74 

Uriens,  King  (Arthur's  brother-in-law), 
husband  of  Morgan  le  Fay,  1  2  j  visits 
Arthur  with  four  hundred  knights,  1  8  ; 
in  battle,  1  15  ;  chosen  to  be  a  knight  of 
the  Round  Table,  4  4 ;  goes  hunting  with 
Arthur,  46;  his  life  attempted  by  his 
wife,  4  13,  19  ii 

Urre,  Sir,  a  knight  of  Hungary,  19  10  j  a 
sorceress  so  works  that  his  wounds  may 
never  heal,  ib.  ;  his  mother  brings  him 
to  Arthur's  court  to  be  healed,  ib. ;  is 
healed  by  Launcelot,  19  12  ;  made 
knight  of  the  Round  Table,  19  13  ;  made 
Earl  of  Estrake,  20  1 8 

Uther  Pendragon,  besieges  Castle  Terrabil, 
1  1  ;  falls  sick  for  love  of  Igraine,  ib. ; 
is  sworn  on  the  four  gospels,  1  2  ;  pro- 
phecy concerning,  ib. ;  married  to  the 
Lady  Igraine,  ib.  j  very  ill,  1  4  ;  carried 
on  a  horse  litter,  ib. ;  dies,  ib.  ;  of  his 
son  Arthur,  18;  of  his  gift  of  the 
Round  Table,  3  i 

Uwaine  le  Blanchemains,  Sir  (King 
Urien 's  son),  saves  his  father's  life,  4  1 3  ; 
dismissed  the  court,  4  16  ;  fights,  4  18  ; 
smites  down  thirty  knights,  4  26  ;  fights, 
4  27  ;  his  horse  turned  "  up-so-down  " 
by  Launcelot,  613;  seeks  Tristram,  9 
36  ;  challenges  all  the  knights  of  Corn- 
wall, 9  38  ;  fights,  10  I 

Uwaine  les  Adventurous,  10  ii 

Uwaine  les  Avoutres,  Sir,  7  27  j  slain  by 
Gawaine,  162 

Vagon,  a  castle,  13  8  ;  a  man,  ib. 

Vains,  a  knight,  10  39 

Vale,  Earl  de,  15  i 

Vale,  King  of  the,  4  2 

Vawse,  Lady  de,  425 

Vicecount,  vale  of,  5  12 

Villiars    the    Valiant,    Sir,    20  5  j     made 

Earl  of  Beam,  20  18,  21  13 
Viterbe,  5  12 

Wade,  7  9 

Wales,  Arthur  in,  18;  march  of,  4  26  ; 
West,  5  2  ;  Arthur,  King  of,  8  I  ;  cry 
made  through,  8  9  ;  Tristram  wrecked 
in,  8  38,  16  4 

Wandesborow,  a  castle,  1  17,  18 


INDEX 


S31 


Waste  Lands,  Queen  of  the,  14  i ;  in  the 

ship  in  which  the  body  of  Arthur  was 

borne,  21  6 

Well,  Galahad's,  17  18 
Westminster,  the  meadow  beside,  18  4,  6  ; 

Patrise  buried  in  the  church  of,  188,  19  ; 

woods  and  fields  beside,  19  I  j  Launcelot 

at  the  bridge  at,  19  4,  7 


Winchester  (i.e.  Camelot),  219;  Arthur  at, 

6  17,  12  10,  18  8,  16,  21 1 
Windesan,  city  of,  1  1 8 
Windsor,  hermitage  near,  18  2  j  forest  oi, 

18  21 
Wisshard,  Sir,  5  9,  10 

York,  a  parliament  at,  5  $ 


END    OF    VOL.  II 


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